Five Baht Elephant

my crafty home

2016 Ravellenic Games

“Uh, WUT?” You’re probably asking.

From the Ravelry Group Page

The Ravellenic Summer Games 2016
Dates: Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 21

The One Rule To Rule Them All: Challenge yourself by starting and finishing one or more projects during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

What will be a stretch for you? It could be a new technique, that first sweater or pair of socks, something massive, something delicate, or maybe finishing that monster in the closet. The goal of the Ravellenic Games is to support you in expanding your knitting/crocheting horizons.

I’ve mentioned it before, but Ravelry is like the best website for knitting/crocheting. Community driven, visually pleasing and an amazing resource – if you knit you should be on Ravelry. Every Olympics, a group starts up and thousands of people join in to ‘compete’ in different events. I’ve joined a team of knitting redditors called Team Upvotes. But truthfully, there’s no competition and you don’t need to join a team. The goal really is … whatever you want it to be. Though it is fun to participate in something that a whole bunch of people from all around the world are doing at the same time.

I think I’ve been a bit ambitious in my goals for the next two weeks. I’ve entered three “Events”

WIP (Work In Progress) Wrestling: Talia Take Two

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WIP Wrestling: Strokkur  I am seriously still only like 4 rows from completing this.

Strokkur WIP

Sock Put: Another Hermione Every Day Sock

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Sweater Triathlon: Blank Canvas I’ve had this yarn for over a year, with the intent to knit this sweater. The two yarns will be held together to create a pretty unique color. This event is a bit ambitious because, well, it’s a sweater.

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Made: Geeky Science Swap Mini

SciSwap
I’m so way late on posting this – I worked on this mini last fall!

My randomly assigned partner likes biology mostly, and warm-ish palette and submitted a favorite science-y quote. I settled on making a mini-quilt of the quote, using paper-pieced alphabet patterns I bought from the etsy shop From Blank Pages I still have most of the jelly roll from the baby girl quilt I made in August, which matched the warm-ish colors that my partner favors.

This. Took. Forever.

There are like a million pieces and a million seams in these little letters. Ok. I exaggerate. But it felt like a million.

My partner, who lives in Texas, also likes to receive things from where I’m from, so I included a Bronco’s Mystery Lego Figure (I’m hoping she got Payton!) and a Colorado sticker. I also included some fabric mini charms (2.5″ squares) and an adult coloring book. Not exactly the sciency-theme, but I think she liked what I sent!

In turn, a different partner made these for me! A LOST themed mini quilt – which is amazing! 2 fat quarters (18″ x 22″) of this awesome math-geeky fabric, elephant poo note paper, decals and a needle book that glows in the dark! AWESOME.

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Made: Reversible Sock Knitting Project Bag

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I’m a big fan of Shannon Cook. Even though she primarily designs knitting patterns, I’ve made more of her project bags than any of her knit stuff. (Like this but then I also made this.) I don’t exactly need anymore project bags, but I have fabric that needs to be used. The reversible project bag is a free tutorial on Shannon’s blog, and it came together pretty quickly.

I picked up this text fabric a few years ago and I probably had a bag in mind when I bought it. Who know what I was thinking when I bought it. Anyway, the tutorial recommends that you interface one layer. After putting this together, I think I used one that is a bit thicker than I should have. That’s why it looks kinda wrinkly in the photos.

Right now I’m using it to hold the knitted hexagons I started way back when.

MadeKnittingBag

And meet Bane. Our Bengal kitten. He’s been with us for a little over a month, and I am the primary caregiver. Well, I’m the only one home right now, so he only has me to hang out with. He follows me everywhere and it is adorable – until it is annoying, like when I’m trying to take photos.

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The Broncos win the Super Bowl (and I knitted my first pair of socks)

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Ok, so these two things did NOT happen on the same day, but I’m just now getting around to writing up this post.

I can tick off a laundry list of reasons as to why I haven’t knitted socks in the 6+ years I’ve been knitting.
– why knit them, when you can buy them so cheaply
– toes and heels intimidate me
– I have other things I want to knit

And well, I had a problem where I’d buy sock yarn because it was so pretty. Yet, I didn’t knit socks. I’d end up knitting a shawl, or attempting to knit a shawl with the yarn. *sigh* So I have this stash of sock yarn, and after finishing all those hats over Christmas, I cast on some socks.

The pattern is a free one on Ravelry called the Hermoine Everyday Socks. It was mostly knit stitches with a purl stitch thrown in a few times resulting in a cool texture. I used this greenish hand painted skein that I picked up while in Ohio for Christmas 2014. The toes, heels and cuffs are done up in gray. I like the look of it.

HES

I’m not sure exactly why I chose to knit them toe-up vs cuff down, but that’s what I did. And to avoid the whole ‘turn the heel’ thing, I found a pattern called the Afterthought Heel. Which I followed and the pattern told me to use a strand of waste yarn as a placeholder for the heel.

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I knitted up both socks and then added the heels at the end.

They look pretty good! They need a good soak, but man, they are pretty comfortable. And luxurious if I’m being honest. And I probably feel that way because of all the hand work that goes into knitting anything. These particular socks are good ‘TV knitting’ and I did spend most of my time watching the playoffs knitting these things.

Made: Barley Hats

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No joke on the amount of knitting I’ve done in the past few months. No. Joke.

I have more finished things to photograph and write up, but I wanted to share these two hats that were sent to my friend along with the Fancy Forest Quilt last week.

BarleyHats-3

The story behind the hats… So back in the summer, Heather received a hat in one of her prenatal appointments. She asked me to make a matching one for Chad, her husband. I went to my favorite yarn stores, and I even looked at the Big Box Craft Stores, but couldn’t find anything that matched the hat she gave me. Figuring that the intent was matching father/son hats, I made a command decision (ha!) while wandering around Fancy Tiger.

The pattern is the Barley hat by Tin Can Knits which is very well written, even for a free pattern. I was able to make both the adult size and baby size with a skein of Madelinetosh DK in Optic – this nice neutral speckled with some grays and blacks. It is lovely and subtle.

BarleyHats

On my Amish skein winder, you can see the color distribution better. About that skein winder. I actually like it. I found it on etsy for like $20 and it comes apart and stores very nicely. About that ball winder – I’m not a fan. I bought it with a 50% off coupon at Joann’s and it does an OK job. It seems pretty small, and winding standard hanks (roughly 220 yards in DK) results in a sloppy looking yarn cake. It works well enough, but I’m definitely in the market for a better yarn winder.

Made: Fancy Forest Baby Quilt

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In spite of all the snow hitting the metro DC area, this little package arrived at my friend’s house yesterday. Just in time, and not on account of the weather – she’s about to have that baby boy. We’re crossing our fingers (she’s crossing her legs) to keep that kid inside until at least Tuesday!

Somehow, at the ripe old age of 38, it seems as if all of my friends are having babies. Which just makes me so happy. One popped out late summer, another one is due to arrive next week and two more babies are coming later in July. And on the family front, I’ve got one brand new nephew and another one coming next month! And more babies, means more baby quilts. Which I’m always happy to make.

The quilt is the Fancy Forest pattern by Elizabeth Hartman – baby size. Truly, I’m not sure how anyone would have the patience to make the larger size. Because this one, while adorable and cute finished, was a total bitch to make. So. Many. Pieces. As far as the pattern, it is very well written and the cutting instructions were really helpful. If you decided to make this quilt, follow the pattern suggestions! Even the one about separating the cut fabric into bags!

FancyForestBabyQuilt

 

After making the first two blocks, I got smart and made pin labels to keep track of the different pieces. These are just cut up index cards scotch-taped to pins.

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Once I had the pin labels, the remaining forest friend blocks came together relatively quickly.

I was snapping photos of the completed top when Miles jumped in.

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I quilted a simple rectangular grid across the entire quilt to keep things simple and consistent with the geometric-ness of the blocks.

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There’s a story to the knitted hats included in the package I sent to my friend… which will be another post. That awesome boob card is made by Craft Boner and I picked it up at a local craft fair last summer.

 

Knitting Updates

I’ve been slowly working on these two knitting projects.

My Strokkur (started in January!) – I’m really about 4 rows until I am done knitting. The colorwork portion is complete, and I love it! I’m glad I went with the blue; spring green was my other option.

Strokkur WIP

My Daybreak Shawl. I started this in March, and ugh. It is taking me forever – sock yarn, small needles, large project. There’s a shit ton of stitches and it takes me about 30 minutes to complete two rows. But this is my take along project. It is simple enough to work on in the car, in the waiting room, at sports practices and at the coffee shop.

DW WIP

Made: Caravan Tote

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I LOVE THIS BAG.

Its my favorite bag I’ve made so far. Intended as my new ‘sweater knitting bag’ I’ve yet to put my latest sweater project in it because I keep using it for other things!

What I like:

  • tote style – just throw my crap in it
  • the metal zipper – gives it a more professional-made look
  • leather straps and pull tab – see above comment + ease – making straps take time; I bought the leather from AllLeatherSupplies (etsy)
  • size – big enough without being too big
  • needle pocket – I sized one of the pockets to fit my phone and the ‘needle’ slots are just right for pens

What I would do different:

  • actually buy a snap setter for this particular snap – I bought these metal snaps from Springfieldleather (etsy) which are the same size as a snap setter that I already have, but the post length was too long for the setter. So… really these are decorative and not functional. oops!
  • install an interior zip pocket
  • add a key holder inside because my keys get lost in the bottom of the bag

caravan tote

The bag came together pretty quickly actually. Cutting the fabric and interfacing took the most time. I cut and interfaced the pieces in one afternoon – grouping and labeling the pieces as I went. However, when assembling the pieces, I got a little confused due to the pattern piece descriptions. I think next time I’ll number them and then mark up the pattern instructions with the numbers. I followed the pattern instructions including the type of interfacing. I omitted the grommets on the interior slip pocket; they’re intended as yarn guides, but I know that I won’t use them. However, grommets are pretty cool looking.

I was able to make this month’s Denver Metro Modern Quilt Guild meeting where I showed it off. I love being part of this guild (and the FRMQG for the same reasons), not only for the eye candy and inspiration, but for the suggestions and tips. While I was up there, the other ladies mentioned finding leather belts at Goodwill to re-purpose for bag handles and Stephanie mentioned looking in the climbing section of REI at the ropes and tie-downs for straps and handles.

I’ve already got fabric and leather purchased for my next one.

Pattern: Caravan Tote by Anna Graham (Noodlehead)

Made: Sew Together Bag #10(?)

Yeah, so I think this is #10 for me. Yikes.

Most of this one was cut and put together when I made the seven others back in March/April for my friends. The real motivation to finish this one for me was to move all my makeup from the random bags under my sink into one bag. Nothing really new to say about it, so here are the photos!

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Made: Divided Basket and WIP: Strokkur

I’ve been on a crafting kick – guess I’ve gotten my motivation to make things back.

We were in Telluride, CO this past weekend for little get away. JJ, Miles and I needed the time away from work, Denver and life in general. It was awesome. The drive to Telluride from Denver is over 6 hours, so I brought along two knitting projects. The one you see below is my Strokkur that I started back in January. I was having trouble keeping the entire project in my project bag, so when I came back I knew I wanted to make something bigger to hold it.

Divided Basket

The pattern is the Divided Basket by Noodlehead (Anna Graham). I’ve sewn plenty of her tutorial/patterns and they are really well done. Modifications I made to the written pattern were to use Pellon 72 – Peltex and batting to reinforce the exterior pieces. The Peltex and batting really give the basket structure. The sides of the bag do not fold in AT ALL – unlike my other project bags. Stitching all the layers was a bit tricky so I made sure I went slowly and didn’t force the fabric through the machine.

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One side of the basket has two pockets where I keep little knitting notions – stitch markers, scrap yarn, scissors.

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I dug through my fabric box and resurrected some pieces that I’ve had for an embarrassingly long time (i’m talking years here). The exterior is an Echino print that I’m pretty sure is out of production. The dotted fabric used in the lining is so old, I can’t remember where I bought it, let alone who makes it. The divider and trim on the handles are leftover shot cotton from another project.

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Here you can see the colorwork detail of the sweater yoke. Colorwork is fun – both the process and this particular pattern. The yarn is a traditional Icelandic wool – the yarn sticks to each other, so there is a lot of me stopping to untangle the yarn while knitting. The sweater sat in hibernation over most of the summer. This wool is quite warm, and just not particularly fun to knit when it is hot outside. But the cool mountain mornings in Telluride were perfect for hotel room deck knitting. And I’m just about finished with the sweater. I’m really excited to see the final result. More details can be found on my Ravelry project page: Strokkur.

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