Playing With A New Design at Stitchknit
22 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in crochet bits Tags: Crochet, etsy, foster care, stitchknit
I had time to myself. No, that isn’t right at all.
I had time away from home & the responsibilities that entails. (the 89 yo twins!)
Took my foster kiddo to the dentist for a routine cleaning………..and they were running at least 30 minutes late. I know I was the ONLY one who was thrilled with that bit of news! I had taken both knitting & crocheting……….with 3 different possibilities of things to do. I was set to wait for HOURS!
This little flower was the first thing I chose to play with. I made 2, and need to keep working on this idea. I love the look, but the feel is a bit floppy. Thinking a smaller hook and bigger yarn might solve this issue.
There is more waiting on the schedule tomorrow (foster kiddo taking a field trip on the commuter train to Seattle) so I’m going to take supplies to see if I can get this to be a bit firmer.
This color of yarn always proves problematic to me too. Hot pink turns into flaming fuchsia & I can’t tell why. Crocheting is easy compared to taking a photo of this little creation.
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Shop Feature: Elves In The Attic
20 May 2012 3 Comments
This card is the reason for this post. I looked all over last week, for a card for a family member who has recently lost a dog. Being a dog lover, I know how that can set your world on edge. There is a gaping hole in ones’ heart, that just doesn’t seem like it is ever going to heal.
Anyway, I knew I had seen cards in the past, but now, when I needed one, wouldn’t you know it, Nothing!
Sometimes, the logical, simple solutions are right in front of ones face. Literally.
I was at the local meet up, with other Etsy shop owners and after telling them what I was looking for, Julie, from Elves in the Attic, said……. I have one of those! She pulled it up on the computer & it was perfect. The hint of the doggie paw prints on the front are so sweet!
Julie changed the wording to We’re Sorry, and brought it to my home! Beautiful & detailed workmanship by a talented artist.
Great example of the shopping local feature on Etsy! Even better that we knew each other from the local meet up…………My fault for not thinking of her right off the bat!
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On the home front…………. I think the days are numbered here, until I seriously have NO marbles left. As some of you know, I have moved in to assist my mom, who is soon to be 90! She is doing well compared to her twin sister who has arrived this week, for an extended stay. My aunt is experiencing so many health ‘issues’, that I’m not sure which ones to work on first.
The house now reminds me of the years I worked in the health care field, with seniors. The bit that gets to me first, is the heat! Here we are in mid-May, and our heat is up to 75 AND, there is a fire going in the wood stove. I’m hiding in the basement sewing studio for a few minutes…………….grabbing some quiet time, as well as some fresh air in here. Anything over 72 and I start to fade fast.
Not much sewing getting done, but lots of knitting time. Doctors for all the issues, adds up to many hours in waiting rooms. I may finish sock #2 sooner than expected! 
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Knitting Break~ Crocheted Hat Completed
13 May 2012 4 Comments
in crochet bits Tags: caregiving, Crochet, etsy, hats, Slouch hat, stitchknit
I needed a break from not only the knitting………..but the sewing room and the white board with the Orders Due on it.
After digging around in my yarn stash and finding some emerald green yarn, I decided to give the Slouch Hat a second go. The first one is good, but seemed tight on some adult sized heads. By this evening, Slouch Hat #2 is complete. Not listed yet, but complete.
I’m loving this pattern as well as the hat! Worst part is, I don’t wear hats. I look like I belong in a circus if I wear a hat. So, I’m resigned to making hats.
Here’s Slouch Hat #1, in my Etsy shop. I’m anxious to see this on someone, to see if there is enough slouch, or too much?? What do you think? Especially interested if you’re a hat wearer.
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Working with my hands, and my Etsy shop are the only things keeping me sane these days. Caring for my mom is challenging to me; I do well most of the time, but find that resentment creeps in on occasion. She has so many complicated things going on in her life, and we’re still at the stage where she is handling most of them. When things get too difficult, she then hands the situation over to me.
This week, it was a real estate situation, specifically a landlord ‘event’. (I’m the worlds worst landlord……therefore, the bottom of the barrel to handle this new deal with her tenant) Definitely not ‘handled’ yet, but a tentative solution in the works. One more tenant to meet when he gets back in the country, then an empty property to figure out what to do with. Ick, ick, ick. I’d much rather be sewing!
The other issue is my mom has a twin, who is not feeling well. So, therefore………..thattwin thing makes my mom not feel well. Nothing specific, just not feeling well. Lots of ginger ale & ginger tea these days…… I’m in uncharted territory here, as the twins are going to be 90 in a little over a month, and realistically, we will be dealing with more health related issues rather than less…… I am sure to keep up with my knitting though, as it’s great to grab a project to take to doctors offices, or just to sit down & keep mom company.
Whining over. At least for tonight.
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Pretty Little Things
12 May 2012 1 Comment
in Etsy Treasuries Tags: doll houses, miniatures, stitchknit
I’ve been swamped here at Stitchknit. A good thing in most respects, but it feels like I am rarely in charge of my days. Not good.
So, today is a treat for your senses. I invite you to visit some of these shops & see if you are as amazed as I was. Tiny doesn’t begin to describe the work showcased here. Pretty doesn’t cover it either. See what you think about my latest treasury. (treasury: a collection of items from different shops on Etsy)
‘Teensy Tiny Treasures’ by StitchKnit
Enjoy!
 Dollhouse Miniature 1/12th S… $16.90
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 Destination Unknown – Miniat… $29.00
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 Shabby chic candlesticks – 1… $18.00
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 1:12 Tiny Upholstered Armcha… $16.99
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 Dollhouse Miniature Bedsprea… $29.50
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 Dollhouse Miniature Set of 2… $6.75
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 Miniature teapot with pink r… $16.00
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 Painted Lady micro mini hous… $159.00
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 Dollhouse Miniature Cabbage … $12.00
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 Writing Table, Desk with Boo… $74.00
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 Dollhouse Miniature Distress… $10.99
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 Miniature Macarons Box – 1/1… $30.00
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 25mm pastel dollhouse miniat… $5.50
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 Shabby Chic Dollhouse Miniat… $24.00
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 Dollhouse Miniature Table an… $33.90
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 Bakery SHOP PICTURE SIGN Dol… $12.00
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Needle Love
04 May 2012 1 Comment
in Tools & Gadgets Tags: Harmony, knit picks, knitting, Knitting needle, stitchknit
To say I’m excited is an understatement. Yesterday my package arrived from Knit Picks…………..
……………………and I stopped everything so I could open up my Harmony Needles!
If you’re not a knitter, you just wouldn’tget it. These needles feel like something slicker than silk. I couldn’t wait to start something new, so quickly assembled a pair of #9′s and a long-ish cable….to switch one of my current projects over to the new needles.
This picture can’t possibly show how fun these are to knit on. Smooth transitions between the needle & the cables, and all the way down to a size 4. I haven’t found anything I don’t like yet! I was surprised to find that the needles aren’t even the best part………… The cables take the cake! They don’t kink, twist, or need to be warmed up to lay flat.
Can you tell I’m jazzed? I am!
If you’re thinking of investing in a set of inter changeable needles, I highly recommend these!
I’ve got to go………..knitting to be done!
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I Love Special Orders
29 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in knit bits Tags: custom orders, etsy, knitting, stitchknit
Here’s the baby blanket I’m finishing for Client M…………
She had contacted me through Stitchknit on Etsy, to see if I would be interested in finishing her baby blanket.
I really love working on other people’s’ knitting (or crocheting). Something about finding the right tension, matching the work, I don’t know. But, I love this type of work.
M. had just started knitting, working with a neighbor. Unfortunately, her neighbor was no longer able to assist……..and the blanket languished. I received the blanket when it had the border and 2 sets of the basket weave pattern.
All I have left, is to tie in the ends, and block this little blanket. Hoping to wrap it up, and get it in the mail on Wednesday. We’ll see how the week goes………….. Just as soon as I make definite plans, something goes awry.
If you know of anyone wanting a knit or crochet project completed, please pass my info along. I’d love to continue helping out in this way.
Here in the studio, I made up a sample of a shrug a client wants for a wedding this month. Forgot to take a picture! She wanted the shrug longer, but the way the design is………….longer isn’t a simple fix. Since time is important on this job, I think I’ll try to get her in to try this mock-up on. I think we need to start with a different design, as the word shrug implies it is going to be a little bit of a jacket/sweater/shawl sort of event. Long sleeves and something long enough to cover ones tummy and down to the bottom in the back…………that says jacket to me. If I have time, I’ll make up something longer, to give us something to compare to. I can already feel myself running out of time on this one!
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Waiting for the Mail
26 Apr 2012 2 Comments
in Tools & Gadgets Tags: knitting, Knitting needle, stitchknit
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. I just ordered a set of Harmony Needles from Knit Picks.
I’ve had an interchangeable set of needles since the first ones were on the market years ago. My old ones are great, and they have knit many a project…….however, the connections have a habit of not staying connected. This makes for some exciting knitting, I can tell you!
To make this purchase even sweeter…………I received a Gift Card to Knit Picks, from 3 lovely women I knit with. I knew I wanted to purchase something with this gift that I would have for years and something I would use often. The needles seemed like a great idea and then in my In Box today….the sets of needles were on a huge sale! I can’t think of anything that would make this more like Christmas!
I love the Harmony needles and am more than anxious to get them all working!
Too tired tonight to find a picture that shows how beautiful these needles are. This does not do them justice. As soon as they arrive, I’ll be sure to share in the needle goodness!
To my friends……………. Thank you!
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Feels Like Spring
24 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Etsy listings Tags: Crochet, custom orders, etsy, hair cliips, knitting, spring scarves, stitchknit
Spending days in the garden does make it feel like spring! The rhubarb is almost ready to harvest for the first bowl of sauce, the strawberry beds are half way cleaned out and my back hurts. Spring it is!
I felt like a little spring knitting was in order too. Love the colors of this cotton yarn. Have 2 of the scarves listed and 2 still in line for pictures. (that picture taking part takes longer than the knitting)
I made all 4 scarves using the Universal Scarf Pattern, which I love for it’s ability to stay flat, not roll at the edges. This picture is on my mannequin with a knit ‘skin’ on her. I was hoping for more of a neutral look, instead, this version looks VERY pink. Not sure which one I’m leaning towards. Opinions?
The other 2 colors are pink and blue, both very pastel. Love this little wisps of scarf. Lightweight, yummy colors and all cotton. A great combination.
These two are listed with my other scarf creations here.
I had the crochet hooks out too, making a few of these little flowers and attaching them to hair clips.
Other colors coming…….Again, waiting for the picture taking event here.
Currently working on finishing an item for a client………….here’s the progress pic.
This is past the halfway point, as of tonight I have just 3 skeins of the blue to knit. Taking this project to tomorrows knit group, so with 2 full hours of knitting, there is a chance this is going to be finished up this week. Can’t wait to block and finish & then ship this off to the client. Love, love, love doing work like this. Finishing things that, for some reason, the original knitter is not able to complete. So much better than yet another project languishing in a bag in someones’ closet.
I’ll be sure to post a pic of the finished product before it gets packaged up…..
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Did You Make May Baskets as a Kid?
22 Apr 2012 2 Comments
in Etsy Treasuries Tags: flowers, May Baskets, May Day, spring, stitchknit, traditions
One of my many childhood memories………..May Baskets. First, I got to make a basket, usually out of paper. Construction or even newsprint sometimes. Typically, cone shaped, with a handle on the top, so the basket could hang from a door knob. (getting ahead of myself here.) Then, off to the garden, to take the best blossoms of anything in bloom on May first. Then, there was the difficulty of matching the size of the flowers to the size of the basket already constructed. (would have been better to start with the flowers!) Once the baskets were done & filled………….I got to sneak quietly to the porches of the neighbors, leaving a basket on their front door. More exciting still, was the ringing of the doorbell (for those who had one……..otherwise it was knocking) and then dashing for home, without the neighbors seeing me.
I had fun gathering items for a May Basket themed treasury here. Enjoy!
Oh, and let me know if you ever made a May Basket for someone. And, did you get to ring the bell & run for cover?
‘A May Day Tradition’ by StitchKnit
Anyone else remember making May Baskets filled with flowers & hanging them on neighbors doorknobs………..ringing the bell………..and running away?
 Spring photography pink tuli… $30.00
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 May Day Cross Stitch Embroid… $24.50
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 may flowers watercolor print $10.00
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 May Flowers Dish Towel – Ha… $12.00
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 Tussie Mussie Cone with Nest… $14.50
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 May Flower Earrings in Sea f… $12.50
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 Quilled Magnet 46 – April s… $5.00
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 Basket Bouquet $3.10
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 May Flowers. Original collag… $12.00
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 White Tulips – Cross stitch … $6.50
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 Children’s Wall Art Prin… $26.00
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 Soy Wax Candle 6 oz. – May F… $5.99
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 May Lily of the Valley Flowe… $13.50
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 Customizable Small Floral / … $16.00
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 19th Century May Day Custom … $20.00
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 Petal Basket $20.50
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Treasury tool supported by website usability testing
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Purple Everywhere
12 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Etsy Treasuries Tags: etsy, Purple, Spring Art Sale, stitchknit, treasuries
Since I’m WAY short of time this week, here’s a yummy treasury for you to browse through. My knit scarf is featured with these other lovelies. I’m still crossing things off my TO DO list for the Spring Art Sale I’m participating in on Saturday. (just one day away now….. and still more items on the list)
‘when you just need purple’ by art4living
 CoolCats Ribbed Knit Hoodie … $19.95
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 Vintage 1970s Long Amethyst … $14.00
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 Purple Trendy Bracelet /// P… $10.00
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 Purple, Blue, Lavender Iris … $10.00
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 Felted eggs purple, blue, li… $12.00
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 Fleur de Glorie Powder Tin -… $21.00
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 Perfect Purple Pearl Clip $3.95
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 Hand Knit Scarf Neckwarmer i… $32.00
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 Soft purple with vintage pat… $22.00
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 Counting Pins Marking Pins N… $9.00
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 Ring – Amethyst w/ white to… $79.50
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 Purple rose… Felted Scarf … $95.00
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 Sale. Purple and White Vinta… $21.00
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 Lavender Bath Salts 12 oz. -… $10.95
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 Tutu Skirt Sewn Purple Yello… $21.00
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 Fluorite Pendant Purple Clea… $22.00
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Treasury tool supported by website usability testing
