Cozy Notions

An Early "Merry Christmas!"

2007-12-09T01:09:00.000-05:00

Blog to be re-worked

2007-12-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a very long time since I posted here. A lot has been going on, but not a lot in the way of Knitting.

While I was gone, my husband and I found out we are pregnant with our first child! This is something we had been trying for for awhile, and we are very excited. In Sept. we found out that she is a little GIRL! Avery is due in Jan. of 08!

I will be re-working this blog to be family oriented as well as crafty... and I have several new crafts to share. =o)

My first skirt sewing project..

2007-04-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Well, It's been a lot longer since I last blogged than I meant for it to be. I have made a rule for myself, that I will not blog until I have replied to my comments.. unfortunately Blogger has not made this very easy. I would love to be able to reply by e-mail, but I sure can't figure out if there is a way to do that. If anyone knows.. please let me know.. I'd be oh-so-happy to learn!

So.. you may wonder what happened with the Leftovers vest? Did I finish it in time to wear for Easter?

Well.. no. I decided the week before easter, that instead of trying to rush to finish the vest, that I wanted to sew a new skirt instead. I had stumbled across some sites like Wardrobe Refashion and was feeling extra inspired. (.. and I wasn't going to let a little thing like the fact that I had never sewn clothing before discourage me... ).

A little back history... when I was very small, my Mammy (aka my grandmother on my maternal side) was always sewing clothes & things. She died when I was 6, but I do remember her, and her sewing. In the year (1985) before she died, she found out that she had cancer, and was doing things to live her life to the fullest. One of the things she did was get a state-of-the-art sewing machine with lots of bells in whistles. I remember sitting on her lap in the show room when she was trying it out. When she died, she left her sewing maching to me. Due to some conflicts of classes in school, I was never able to take sewing or home ec. .. so years go by, and although my dad tried to show me how to use the machine once, I never figured it out, and it has been most cherish, but most unused in the many years since. ..... fast forward to a year ago. I got the sudden desire to try quilting, and the stubborness to figure out how to use the sewing machine somehow- someway. I do not have the owners manual, so I got a sewing 101 manual, and muddled through. I even sewed a quilt (unfortunately I didn't learn the valuable lesson of how to lock stitches until AFTER that.. and the quilt is unused in a drawer in the hopes that I will one day go back and fix all the places it's come unravelled...) Then my husband & I moved, and all my sewing stuff got packed up until I decided to drag it back out again to make my skirt.

Here is the wonderful & much cherished 1985 New Home Memory Craft Sewing machine left to me by my Mammy:

Needless to say I haven't figured ALL of those fancy stitches and letters out yet, but I did figure out the strait & zig-zag stitches. I found a place on ebay that sells a version of the users manual, and I think I will get that to help me out further.

Here is the items I picked up to make my skirt (and stuff to make a shirt that I haven't tackled yet):

... and although this is far from the best picture, and prior to washing (which made the skirt a lot closer to a good fit...yay!).. here is my First ever made skirt & clothing sewing project! (From a side view)

I so wish I had a better picture, but I promise one the next time I wash it. Overall, it has some mistakes, but for a first project I'm very pleased! First time I wore it to work I had several compliments on it, and people were surprised to learn that I sewed it myself. =o)

Well, this is getting pretty long, so I will stop talking now. Knitting wise, I'm working on baby blanket squares. 2 babies in the family due to be born next month, and I don't have either blanket finished yet! Eek...

We have a LOT going on outside the world of craft, but I'll get to that anouther time. =o)

Leftovers Progress...

2007-03-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

It's been a little over a week, and a few things to report. Last weekend, while out of town, I took some of the dollar tree yarn with me "just in case." One of my neices saw it and asked me to make her a scarf. I made it very thin. CO 8, knitting all. Added tassles. I did not have a camera with me, but she's promised I can take a picture later. Even though we were in the 80's here last weekend, she's also requested a matching hat & mittens. (Guess I need to learn how to do those huh?) My nephew also requested a scarf in red & black "Georgia Bulldog" colors. I picked up some yarn for it at Walmart, but it hasn't been a top piority (i.e. temps in the 80's! LOL).

I've had some difficulties with the leftover vest, and I've done several sets of frogging & re-knitting after (stupid) mistakes. Mistakes & all I'm really happy with how it is turning out. Here is a picture from 2 days ago out in the sunlight:

I've made a little progress since then, here is a more up close picture:

Isn't it turning out cute? I can't wait to wear it. Maybe just maybe I can finish it and wear it for easter? I measured and I have about 4 more inches until I split for the armholes.. Hopefully I will have some more to report next week.

P.S. Does any one have a first sweater without mistakes in it I wonder? LOL.. even with all the frogging & re-knitting I still have a few.

Light headed...

2007-03-22T23:41:00.000-04:00

Okay, so this is completely off the topic of knitting.. but... I decided to cut my hair today. Some background: About 2 years ago I had decided to grow it out. I have what my family calls "baby hair" that fine/thin whispy stuff that you usually only find on the head of a baby. It wasn't quite so fine/whispy when I was younger, but it got more so as I got older. Even though I really love longer hair, I finally decided that my hair looks better (on a daily basis) shorter. I cut it myself using a self trimming method & had Randy even it up. I'm REALLY glad I did it.

So without further introduction... the back of my head:

Randy has been teasing me about going all "Brittany" on him. =oP

My hair long hardly *ever* looked this good.. but for the sake of remembering:

Wow.. actually thats enough to make me *wish* I hadn't have cut it.. that is if I didn't know that my hair had been more likely to look like this on a daily basis:

... which isn't nearly as nice. Okay going to knit now. =o)

Curious Kitties... (and other Knitting things)

2007-03-21T20:48:00.000-04:00

After work today, I had a few non-knitting related items I wanted to take care of. My first stop was by the dollar tree... little did I realize that I would come face to face with tempation! Can you guess? Tempation won.

See all that colorful yarn that the kitties are snooping out? I kept looking at it and seeing a scarf for me, and some baby things. It practically jumped into my basket... honest. =oP I *did* manage to put back some twine that made its way into my basket though.

While taking the above picture.. I realized that I didn't show a full picture of my new yarn storage the other day (A.K.A. Cody's favorite napping spot).

In other knitting news... I did get the ribbing complete on the leftovers vest last night. After doing some clarification with Alison today, I'm ready to pick it back up again.

So.. I know I promised kitties. There has been more of Cody than my girl kitty Kasey. Here she is looking sweet.

Wee Tiny Sock.. where are you?

2007-03-21T16:15:00.000-04:00

I'm beginning to get a bit worried that my wee tiny sock hasn't made it to it's destination yet. I realized when I received mine yesterday that I forgot to write "hand cancel" on the envelope. I'm hoping this hasn't delayed it.. but I'm keeping my eyes on a certain blog to see if it arrives.

I LOVE my wee sock (and other knitting updates)

2007-03-20T19:35:00.000-04:00

I got home from work today, and was so excited to see some mail in the mailbox for me. This little cutie is from Bibby! There is no way she could have known, but the colors are my favorites.. turqouise & pink's (according to the card it is cherry tree hill). It even has a cute little button.

Isn't it sweet? I couldn't decide how photograph it best...

Here is where I placed it for my husband to see when he got home...

Thank you soooo much Bibby! =o)

In other knitting news, I cast on for the leftovers vest last night...

Not far yet.. and I'm a little nervous since it's such a big project, but I'm excited too. I'm also really loving the yarn.

A few weeks ago we went hunting for something for yarn storage. Admittedly I just stuck what I already have from previous craft stuff in here... but I was excited to find this at target. It's 4 cubes x 2 cubes, and you can get a second one and make it 4 x 4. I hope to eventually do that.

..and that cute kitty? Thats my boy kitty Cody. He's a sweetheart. We have 2 Cat's who you will see from time to time on here. The other is a gray girl kitty named Kasey.

I mentioned previously about starting on some squares for baby blankets. I'm using patterns out of this "Sampler Afghans" book.

Here is a Elm Seed Stitch:

Here is a reverse herringonbone faggot:

(learning to block is also on my to-do list.)

On it's way...

2007-03-16T10:30:00.000-04:00

My Wee Tiny Sock is on it's way to it's new owner. Can't wait to see everyone start receiving them. =o)

All the socks I've seen at the Flickr Group are sooooooooo cute.

Wee Socks... and other in-progress items

2007-03-11T13:33:00.000-04:00

While visiting different blogs, I found this wee tiny sock swap at Yarn Miracle.

This sock pattern turns out sooooo cute! I used size 1 needles, and since I did not have any sock yarn, I decided to use embroidery thread (I mean ... no one is getting this sock on their foot anyway). I did not do the ribbed cuff part. Basically I used 2 threads of embroidery thread at a time.. yellow & green to start, then green & blue, then blue & pink, then pink then yellow .. each for a few rows then repeat. I did show my in-progress sock to my family at my nephews birthday party. They (in good fun) made fun of me, getting a big kick out of the wee socks. Actually... I think it turned out rather cute:

Here is an in-progress picture, also showing the embroidery thread:

In other news.. I've got 2 babies coming up in the family so I've started working on baby blankets using yarn that I already have. I started with a diagonal baby blanket, and just have changed the colors out a bit:

I'm past the half way point, but I'm not sure if I might not add some more blocks to it around the edges to make it a little bigger. I looked for longer circular needles in town, but 29' was the longest I could find.

Lastly... I have purchased the yarn so that I can make the Leftovers vest from Knitty. I really liked the yarn that I found. I know it's not the highest quality stuff, but it does feel good, and I love the colors. Hoping that I can finish some other stuff and get started on this in the not to distant future.

Honestly I keep purchasing knitting stuff... I can't seem to help myself.. and I definitely would LOVE some real sock yarn.. but theres so much to choose from that I can't seem to choose! I have a couple other knitting magazines, and I got some basic cream colored yarn for another baby blanket I will be working on.

Needle Case...

2007-02-28T17:54:00.000-05:00

Yay, my custom needle case is ready!

I really liked Katie's needle cases (and their prices!) when I first found them, but nothing really matched my knitting bag. I really wanted something with that same "feel" to it, and I think she did a great job. =o) Can't wait to get it and try it out!

Lots of Knitting Goodness

2007-02-28T13:37:00.000-05:00

Well.. my mom had to go to Boston last week, so I went ahead and knit her up a quick little scarf to take with her to help keep her warm.

I wish I would have made it just a *tad* longer. It really seemed longer than it really was when I was knitting it.. and I thought it was going to be too long.

I also finished my first sock! There are definitely some mistakes, but all in all it was a pretty good learning experience. I learned the kitchner stitch as well as SSK, and how to unknit (not sure what that ones really called!). I'm not 100% pleased with the yarn, but it was the closest I could find to sock yarn at Michaels. I still have a lot to learn about yarn...

I also happened to get my knitting bag in today (wow that was fast!!) It's even better in person! I still find it hard to believe I got this wonderful bag for $15! =o) I am a well pleased customer!

Now.. I still am working off & on on the scarf to match my jacket... but it warmed up to the 70's, and I don't anticipate needing a scarf anytime soon down here. Trying to decide if I want to buy yarn & knit a thinner pair of socks first, or go on to trying a vest.

Yay! Found a Knitting Bag I Like....

2007-02-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

After much looking, I have found my first knitting bag

.. Okay so it's not *really* a knitting bag, but it will be for me! I didn't want to spend a whole lot on one for now until I figure out everything that I want in one. I think for transporting projects for now, this will be perfect!

In other news... I finished a scarf for my mom. It's in a black & gray Lions brand yarn. She traveled to Boston today, so I wanted her to have a scarf to go with her. I'm still working on my other scarf.. and I started a sock as well. Currently have to unknit a bit to correct a stitch, but other than that I'm really happy with how my ribbing is turning out! I will post some pictures later.

Reporting In... Completed my first project!

2007-02-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

So much knitting stuff to report! Most of the week I have been knitting squares for a baby blanket out of some baby teri yarn I had on hand. I've also been reading lots and lots of knitting blogs! I especially love seeing peoples galleries where you can see what their "first" items were, and then where they are now.. and WOW! :D

On Saturday I dragged Randy about town. We went to both the local knitting yarn shops.

The first one was Wild Fibre
This store is just *gorgeous*. They had the type of yarn you dream about. A smaller store, in the down town historic area, and just everything about it was wonderful. They were having a bit of a class, and I'm staying away from the quality yarn for the time being, so we didn't stay too long.

The second was a store called The Red Needle
This store had a LOT more yarn.. but it was a lot different. This one is more of your grandmothers knitting store. Where the other store screamed "new & fresh" this one screamed "nostalgia" The yarn was pretty reasonable though, and It's closer to my work place so more accessible. For now.. I'm going with lower grades of yarn while I learn.

After that we went by our local humane society thrift store. I had seen an assortment of knitting needles there once before, and thought that they *may* still have them. They didn't but I did find a *GREAT* thrifty deal (thanks the my husbands sharp eyes!). There was a basket of yarn with it marked for $1 each! Here is what I picked out from it.. everything in this picture ended up being around $6.50.

In other news, I owe my sister in law a fleece tie blanket. Her birthday was the beginning of the month, and she requested one. With my grandfathers death, it had just been put off, but Joann's fabric was having a good sale (and I had a coupon). I also picked up some more yarn for a scarf & some knitting needles.

We made it home, and DH wanted to watch some boy movies, so I decided to knit the scarf. I felt like I couldn't really call myself a knitter until I had a project done, so I wanted to finish something!

This is a garder stitch scarf, knit with size 15 needles, and lions brand sierra. It was supposed to be for a co-worker, but I'm feeling pretty attached. I decided to keep it and even wore it to church this morning. :D I have plenty of the yarn, so I will make my co-worker another one.. probably one with a tighter weave.

My every day coat is black though, so I decided to CO another scarf out of the thrift store yarn. Here is what is on my needles now.

The picture doesn't do it justice. It's another lions brand yarn, this one is a green base, but has blue, browns, reds, purples in it. I'm loving how it's going. (Also loving working with the wooden needles) I CO 25, but somewhere along the way I have 27, and I didn't realize it until I had been knitting it that way awhile, so I am just going with it. :D