New Beret

Green Beret Hat

I just listed this Green Beret Hat on etsy.  I realized that I was out of stock on hats in my hats and headbands section, so I got cracking.


This is one of the two berets that I made.  I'll probably try and list the other one on Wednesday or Thursday. 


As it is green in color, it qualifies for the birthday sale.  Receive 20% off anything green until August 4th by using coupon code: GREEN

Lace Knitting

I've been on a lace knitting kick lately and finished a short sleeve lace sweater the other day.  I will still need to photograph it on my day off.  I'm really happy how it turned out, but I haven't tried it on my mannequin yet.


I always get really nervous when I finish a new piece before I put it on the dress form.  I worry that after all the hard work I put into it that it won't fit right, or look right and that I'll have to scrap the whole thing.  I wouldn't want to sell something that didn't fit right.


Now I'm working on a poncho that's lace knitting and beaded.  Though I've done a few beaded crochet projects, this will be my first beaded knitting project.  I've been working on it between shows at work, and my manager doesn't think I can finish it by the end of the week.  What better motivation for finishing a project? 


I don't have a day off yet in sight, so it might be awhile before I'll have any photographs to show you guys.

Frogging Items

I hate to admit it, but sometimes my ideas don't actually translate to a finished project.  I get started and then I think, "Would I actually wear this?", many times, the answer is no.

Last night, I had about 3 inches done on my American Flag tank top, but the yarn I chose was way to thick, and it was looking way to bulky.  Who wants to wear a bulky tank top in the middle of summer? Away that piece went to the knitting graveyard.


We had just started a movie, and I needed a project and fast. I had an idea for a lacy summer top, so I started on it.  I knew when I began that I would need to get to the yarn shop to have enough to finish it, but hopefully the yarn I have left will let me work on it at work today.


RIP tank top, at some point I'll get some better yarn for that one and try it again.

New things to come...

I finished my newest halter top yesterday, but you won't find it in my shop just yet.  I still have to photograph it and list it.  I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I have some new yarn to start another one.


I also have an idea for an american flag halter top.  I figure it will go great with the American Flag Dog Sweater and the American Flag Headband.  Soon I'll be all ready for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.


I also have some yarn that I bought for a lace head bandana.  


It's so much more fun making the projects than taking pictures of them and listing them.  I wish the boyfriend was a photographer so I could just make the stuff and say, "here, your turn." ... sigh... but he is a mechanic, which has come in handy on numerous occasions.


Tune in tomorrow to submit for the Friday's Favorites Treasury!

Out of Yarn

...well, not out, out of yarn, but out of the yarn I need for my projects.  Usually when I get ideas to make things, it's not during normal yarn store hours, so I go into my stash and start picking out colors that will be good for the piece.


Then what ends up happening is I run out of yarn before I finish the piece and end up starting something new with the stuff that I have.  By the time I make it to the store, I have about three projects to finish. Thank goodness for yarns with no dye lots.


Once at the store, I buy what I need, then I buy what I like, and then I stock up on some yarns that I use frequently.


Well, it's time to start another project, as I'm working today and won't have time to go to the store... *sigh*

Just Listed: American Headband

American Flag Headband

Today I listed this American Flag Knit Headband. It was one of those pieces that came out just how I'd envisioned it, which doesn't happen too often.


Great for keeping your hair out of your face and away from the barbecue's flames on the Fourth of July, or wear it over your ears to show your American Spirit in wintertime. 


Last night I finished an American doggy sweater.  I'm going to list that soon, along with the pattern.  Now I need to buy some treats so Bess will model for me.

Adding New Stock

I've finished my Easter top, and I'm almost finished with my newest scarf.  I'm off today, so I'm planning on taking pictures and listing them... well, probably one of them today and one of them on Thursday.  I like to spread it out.


Unfortunately, (well, kinda fortunately) tomorrow I go back to work again, and since there's only one day off, everything has to get done in one day.  


It's not that there's a whole lot to do, but I'm so exhausted, and the fur monsters haven't had a proper snuggle in a while, so I also need some time to do that.


So tune in tomorrow and hopefully see one of my newest pieces!

New Item: Grey and Green Socks

Grey and Green House Socks

Yesterday, I listed a new pair of Grey and Green House Socks. I'm really happy with how they came out, especially since I used a new stitch on the cuff with cute little bobbles.


I'm also happy with how the photos came out.  My boyfriend gave me cool lighting for Christmas, and I've been playing with it and the right backgrounds to try to get some good shots.  Now that I'm happy with the picture, I guess I'm going to have to retake a bunch of my less-than-beautiful pictures.


PS: The top with the new edging will be coming out in the next batch of photos.

Yay for Edging!

So I finally found an edging I like for the new top.  It won't be done to list it today, but it will be soon. For you knitters out there, it's a purled attached icord.


I still have a lot to do today.  I will be listing a new pair of socks on etsy that will have to be photographed, plus I'm listing a few items on ebay that also have to be photographed.  I hate setting up all the camera stuff, so I try to wait until I have a bunch of things waiting to be listed so I can do it all at once.


... ok, now I hear my cat trying to get into the cupboard, this can't be good, I'd better go and check.  ...until next time.

New Top, Edging Process

Well, I finished my newest top... well... almost finished... well, it's practically done, except for the edging.


Now I'm kind of stuck.  Even though it's a knit top, I wanted to crochet a crab stitch around the neck and arms.  It looked really cool on the V-neck part, but the back of the neck was too rolly for my liking.  Now I'm kind of stuck.  I have a couple more ideas to try, but I really hate unraveling.  


Once I finish this top, I'm resting my creative juices and am going to remake a couple of sold items so I can re-list them.  I don't like the pressure of made to order, so I always have one ready to go if it's listed in my shop. ...unless it's a custom order, that's a fun made to order.

Catching Up

In running news:
After I skipped Sunday's run, it was very hard to make myself do it today, but I did.  I thought I was going so fast too, and by the end of it I was so tired that I was sure that I did a better time than last week... Actually, it was slower.  I could be due to missing a day, time of the month, or working and being tired.  Oh well, Sunday, here I come.


In cleaning news:
On Monday, I was going to clean the entire house.  Well, it started taking longer than I thought.  After 3 hours I got the downstairs done (not including the kitchen), then I called it a day.  I won't have much time to do anything today, but I'm going to try to get the upstairs done tomorrow.


In knitting news:
I'm almost finished with my newest top.  I'm really digging it, and now I'm not sure if I want to sell it, or keep it for myself.  I doubt I'll finish it today, but I'm going to give it the old college try.

New Item: Shamrock Headband

Shamrock Headband/Earwarmer

Yesterday I listed a new item.  Yes, I know we haven't had Valentine's day yet, but I had an idea in my head for St. Patrick's Day and I wanted to get started.


It's a headband/earwarmer with Shamrocks across the top.  I also have a shamrock doggie sweater, so if you're the sort that likes to match your dog (I'll admit it, I am), then you can have a matched set!


Next I'm working on a sleeveless sweater.  It's going to be empire wasted like the last one I did, but with a cool diagonal stitch.  I hope that it turns out.

Catching up...

A lot has been going on, so here are a few snippets to catch you up...


Internet is now faster than ever.  I had to get a new modem (apparently that was the problem), but now I don't know what I'm going to do with my mornings now that everything is loading in half the time.


The neck and shoulder still hurt.  Yesterday was really bad, but today so far is tolerable.  I've given up on pain killers, as the over-the-counter ones don't seem to do much... even my beloved advil has failed me.


I finished the Shamrock Headband.  I haven't had time yet to photograph and list it, but that will hopefully happen on my next day off.


That about covers it... well, until the next drama unfolds.

!!Just Listed!!! Slouchy Hat!

Warm Slouchy Red Knit Cap

I just finished, photoed and listed this red cable knit slouchy hat.  It can also be pushed up to be worn as a beret, for a dressier look.


This pattern is also knew, and after I've made a couple more of these hats, I might set about writing up the pattern and selling that as well.


I almost didn't list this as I wanted to keep it for myself.  If it makes it through Christmastime, I might just take it out of the store and onto my head... we'll see.

New Sock Ideas

Yesterday, I started on some new house sock ideas. I came up with some patterns with animals on them. I thought it would be something fun to wear around the house when the weather gets colder.

I've just started a pair of lion socks, and I really hope they turn out well. I am always excited when I start a new idea, but I also get nervous, hoping that it will turn out the way I see it in my head. Many times, it doesn't, and then I'm stuck with a bunch of wasted time, with nothing to put in my shop. However, when it does work out, the pride I have in making my vision come to life is immeasurable.

Just last week my vision for a faux wrap sweater came into fruition. I was going to post more about it, but it sold, and I just shipped it off. When I'm finished with some of my sock ideas, I'm definitely going to make another.

Finally Finished Sweater

Yes! My new Summer Sweater is now finished, photographed and listed!

What to do when it's too warm for a sweater, but too cool to go without one? A summer sweater is perfect for when the breezes kick up but without sleeves, you won't get too hot.

Next I'm on the fence on whether to do a matching doggy sweater, or to write up the pattern for this one. I like selling the patterns to things I design as the people who can make them are not going to buy one ready made, and the people who will buy one ready made will probably never make one.... but making the doggy sweater is just a lot more fun than writing up the pattern...hmmm... Hopefully I'll figure it out by the time I've finished all the chores I have to get done around here.

Singer? Or Puss in Boots?

So, even though I usually perform as a magician at the Venetian, yesterday I got called in to work to be a singer. One singer called in sick, one is on maternity leave, and one got insured on Saturday... I had to fill in one of the male parts. That doesn't mean that I had to come in and start singing baritone, I just filled in the blocking for the male singer. I got to wear our female-in-a-male-costume, which made me look like puss in boots without the tail or the ears. It was so HOT! It's a polyester shirt, with a velvet jacket with a polyester cape...under the hot lights, I think I lost five pounds in water weight. Any more layers and I would be at the sweat lodge trial in Arizona!


In knitting news:


I'm working on a summer vest-like jacket that I designed. I got the back finished last night while watching "Be Kind, Rewind" (a really funny movie, by the way) and got started on the right front. It would be really nice if I could finish it today, but with all of the edging I have to do at the end, it's probably wishful thinking.

Take it Off Tuesday - Purple Fingerless Gloves

It's time for the Take it Off Tuesday deal of the week! Today, it's all about my Purple Striped Fingerless Gloves. Great for keeping your hands warm, while retaining dexterity in your fingers.

As March comes in like a lion, and before it goes out like a lamb, there may be some cold days ahead of us. And, as there aren't really any gift giving holidays in sight, it's time you treat yourself to something special.

Today, you can get 35% off these fingerless gloves. Just use the coupon code: TUESDAY.

As with all the items in my store, there is FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the US and Canada!

Only one pair available, so act now!

Friday's Favorites Treasury

One of the teams I belong to (actually I've been with them since a month after I opened my shop) is called the Etsyknitter's Team. We've been doing a treasury chain, where you make a treasury of people that put you in a treasury and add other team members so that they can make a treasury with you in it. I was so proud of this one that I decided to use it for the "Friday's Favorites" this week.

If anyone is in need of green for St. Patrick's day, this would be a great place to look!

'Irish I were an Etsyknitter' by AllThingsTangled

Protect yourself from being pinched on St. Patty's day, with these wonderful green pieces made by the Etsyknitter's Team!

Handknit Wristlet Pouch Bag ... ShirleyKnits $25.00	Fashionable Micro Scarf - Gr... laprincessa $15.00	Spring Green Fingerless Glov... ginaminda $33.00	The Light Bulb Beanie - Free... SheIsCraftingM... $26.00
Cotton Soap Sack StitchKnit $5.00	Green and Pink Samba Gloves TheSadaAbeExpe... $35.00	Celtic Mittens - Ireland Irishknitz $30.00	Mini sweater ornament - MADE... merrilyknittin... $12.00
Emily Bronte Garden Shawl / ... PinkPolishDesi... $55.00	FREE SHIPPING...Pistachio Gr... asuhan $75.00	Like a Pea in a Pod -- Baby ... 4aSong $45.00	The No Fuss Cowl - Handknit ... ToilandTrouble $30.00
The Handmade Knit Dublin Wra... PreciousKnits $110.00	Olive Green Ruffle Scarf blazingneedles $25.00	Freezebaby Mittens - classic... EveldasNeverla... $45.00	PDF pattern - Fabulous Feath... uniqueboutique... $5.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Last week's favorites had one sale! Congratulations TreacherCreatures!!!

Bess gets into Patty's Day

First off, there was one sale from yesterday's Friday's Favorites! Congrats HeirloomsAndLace! That corset bag is awesome.

Now about St. Patrick's Day:



I've never really put anything for St. Patrick's day in my shop, I mean, aside from having green items. Yesterday I finished, photographed and listed my new Shamrock Doggie Sweater.

Bess, the chihuahua, loves to do photo shoots as it means she gets pieces of cheese or hot dog throughout the whole procedure. Though she can be quite the finicky model as she does not like to show her back to the camera...and if you try and make her, she gets a little mad.

I tried explaining to her that the back is the most important part of the sweater, however she thinks she knows what her best side is. I'm just hoping she's cute enough for people to click on the item, so they can get the full view of the back without the doggie in it...*sigh.