Jar cozy.

So. I have a lot of yarn. Much of it is scrappy or I don't have anything that *quite* matches. I've decided to make some mason jar cozies. This is not a new idea. This pattern is of my own devising, but anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of crochet and a hankering to cover a jar could have figured it out as well. That said, I'm going to give one of these away - the one I make in this post, actually. I'll also stick some in my Etsy shop. Just because.

Here's how I do it:

You need a "k" hook, worsted weight wool, stitch marker, and scissors. I have two k hooks - one just says "k" the other says "k/101/2-6.50mm" I have no idea how crochet hooks are labeled. I use the "k" hook - it's larger.

To begin with, we're working with two strands of yarn held together. I start with a magic circle using six single crochet stitches. This is the bottom of the cozy.

For the next round, increase in each stitch. That is, make two single crochet stitches in each stitch - leaving you with 12 stitches.

For the third round I single crochet in two stitches and increase in the third. I follow that pattern all the way around. This gives me 16 stitches. The fourth round will be single crochet in three stitches and increase in the fourth - giving you 20 stitches. And for the fifth round, single crochet in four stitches and increase in the fifth, thus arriving at 24 stitches. This is the magic number I've come up with. Except that it really ought to be 23, but we'll get to that.

Okay. So you have your 24 stitches. Now you'll be single crocheting around - but only in the back loop! Stop at the last stitch before you hit your marker. We have to decrease (to get my more magical 23 - hey, prime numbers are fun).

For the last stitch, go into the back loop and grab your yarn like you're going to single crochet. Pull it through. Instead of yarning over, go into the first stitch of the next round (both loops, not just the back), grab your yarn, pull it through, yarn over and pull it through all the loops. You've just decreased. Woo hoo!

Now it's smooth sailing. Single crochet around and around and around until your cozy is the height you want. I check mine by slipping it onto an empty jar.

Once you've gotten the height you want, slip stitch into the first stitch of the next round (I generally slip stitch into the first *two* stitches) and then finish off. Weave in your ends and enjoy a tasty beverage.

This cozy used roughly 70 yards. I think. I've lost the tag to the yarn so I'm guessing based on other wools that I regularly use. Oh. And they fit standard Ball pint (16 ounce) jars.

So! Anyone who would like to win a mason jar cozy, leave a comment and I'll pick a name randomly on.. hmm. Wednesday night - since I'll be too busy Tuesday putting together my new spinning wheel!

Things.

This week has been so up and down. I'm dizzy from the craziness of it all. The things that are getting me through right now are:
- my spinning wheel shipped and should be here Tuesday!
- mint-tarragon soda! I made more syrup last night. (just over 1.5 cups liquid to about .75 of a cup of sugar - I haven't tasted it yet, but it may be too sweet)
- pretty knitting (see below)

The weather has been crazy. Rain and wind and overcast skies with a slight sprinkling of sunshine. So we've been cooped up. Here are my zombie boys.

I'm stocking my shop today! And then (hopefully!) taking some better pictures of the mermaid to email off for a giveaway - I'll post details when it "goes live."

Yarn Along - longie style!

Joining up with Ginny for the Yarn Along.



Okay. I have a "dark secret" - are you ready? I play video games. Not obsessively. But, I do enjoy them. Recently I've gotten into the first Assassin's Creed game (I won't bore you with the details). It's roughly about the Crusades (which I am fascinated by - with no personal interest in the religion aspect of it). So I'm rereading some yummy historical-fantasy (that's historical-fiction with some magical elements thrown in). It's, duh, set in the Crusades. Devil's Bargain by Judith Tarr was the first of her books that I ever read. She very quickly became one if my very favorite authors.

Knitting? Longies, of course! I'm using some Shepherd's Wool that I bought from a local yarn store and two lovely stripey yarns from the destash box I bought from Emily. I'm super excited!



These longies I just finished last night. They are superwash - so not the best for longies. But I had six (or so) balls left after making the sweater. And honestly, I didn't want to look at it for another sweater's worth of knitting. Not sure what I'll use the stuff I still have leftover for, though. Anyway! The Imp requested pockets in his longies. He's my scavenger - always picking up acorns and rocks (and promptly dumps them in the Elf's pockets). He decided on just the one pocket, though.



Yesterday I washed a stack of longies (that's what I was doing instead of "Crafting On" with Nicole). Today I noticed that one pair had two wee holes in the back - obviously a needle felted patch was in order (I offered another pocket but the Imp declined). And what better way to decorate a patch than with a little white Totoro?

Weekending

Oh the weekend. What a crazy place it has been.

I finished spinning the blue roving - it actually looks like yarn! And feels kind of like Malabrigo. Not sure what in the world I'll use it for - 25 yards (give or take) of worsted merino yarn in bright blue.

So I'm obsessed with the idea of spinning. I have been for a very long time. I dream about it, I talk about it, read about it, watch videos about it. B finally caved and bought me a spinning wheel! We ordered it yesterday. Very soon this will live at our house! I'm so very excited!

In other consumer news, a lovely box of wooly goodness is on it's way to my house today! It was so funny. I mentioned to the Elf that a box of yarn was coming for me today. Intrigued he asks, "What color is it?" Imagine his face when I tell him that I have no idea. Yes. Priceless. If he didn't think I was crazy before (unlikely), he certainly does now.


(The box arrived! Check out my loot!)

Friday I made syrups. It feels like summer here already. I think Spring was a dream (okay, it hasn't hit 97 degrees yet, but still). So it felt like soda weather. The mint-tarragon syrup is long gone. Yum! Today I'm savoring some delicious lavender soda. I'll need to put some more cans of seltzer water into the fridge. The best thing about this soda (besides knowing the contents and not feeling bad about any of them, of course) is that no one else cares for it much. That makes it mine! All mine!

Sunday we met up with B's father (whom we hadn't seen in six or seven years). It was less awkward than I feared. The Imp seemed quite taken with him - jabbering on and even letting him carry him through the woods.

I'm on the second leg of the longies I posted on Wednesday. I'm still not sure how I want to do the pockets but the Imp is super excited about them. I'm hoping to finish them today. You know, it case the big box o' wool inspires something I have to make right away!

Yarn Along

Joining up with Ginny today.



I'm working on some longies for the boys. Surprise, surprise - right?
B, the Elf, and I are all reading Howl's Moving Castle. I've read it before but thought it would be fun to read it with them. It's like a mini book club. Except that B has very little time to read with work and all.

Yesterday I finished reading Austenland by Shannon Hale. It was good, not great, but worth reading. I seem to still be thinking about it, so that's something. The sequel isn't available from my library yet, but I will be reading it once they let me know it's in.

Mostly I've been working on some pegs for the (very sad and empty) shop. Hopefully I'll get them up tonight, though baking oatmeal peanut butter cookies (with chocolate chips) may get in the way.

I finished spinning my blue roving. I seriously don't think I'm doing it "right" - and I think it's more user error and not my ghetto spindle. The blue was definitely easier to spin than the brownish roving. I think the brown was meant for felting, not spinning. The problem is (ha! *one of the problems is* would be more correct) that I really don't know anything about this stuff. I'm a much more hands-on learner. One local yarn shop is offering a drop spindle class - but it $25 (for an hour, I think) plus you have to buy *their* kit (which they decline to list the price of in their newsletter).

Blergh. Any of you spinners out there want to come and visit? I'll bake cookies! (:

Crafting on

Linking up with Nicole today.

This is what I've been up to:




Totoro is done. Ravelry notes here.


I think his leaf is a little too big, though.


I made myself a ghetto drop spindle (yes, that's a roll of ribbon. hush.) because I *really* want to learn to spin but have no money. The problem is that I need someone to show me what I'm supposed to be doing. I've watched a gazillion youtube videos already.


This is the "yarn" I tried to spin first. I didn't "set the twist" and it.. well. It sucks. But there it is.


And the never ending pegs. For those of you waiting on me for orders and swaps, there they are. Burned, mostly painted, but that's about it.

Weekending in doll land.

I had this idea. And I couldn't shake it. So I spent the entirety of Saturday after dinner making a doll. I finished her up on Sunday.



She's about 11 inches (not including her tail fins). I shamelessly borrowed a heart shaped barbie top pattern for her. Future dolls will have something else, I just don't know what yet.



Her hair is a golden linen (I think) and can be styled in many ways.



Her tail is a soft cotton/modal (beechwood) blend in a deep plum color.

She's still a prototype of sorts. There are some construction issues that I want to change when/if I make another one. But for a first attempt, I think she came out rather well. I'm hoping this little lady will be part of a giveaway soon. I'll keep you posted.

I also spent some time working on peg dolls for the shop, a swap, and a custom order. The Beast didn't nap as much as I'd like, so they aren't done yet (he and paints = splatters on the ceiling). Hopefully he'll nap today so that I can finish painting them. Then it'll be beeswax polishing and hat sewing. Whee!

Yarn Along

I'll be honest, I haven't been knitting. And most of the crochet I've done has been doll hair related. I have been working on this Totoro for the Beast's upcoming birthday, though. It's coming along slowly. I've finished reading Wildwood. It was good but I wasn't as blown away as I wanted to be. Now I'm reading Embrace the Night by Karen Chance. It's the third book in a series that I've read several times.

Crafting on in Doll-land.

I can't shake it. I think I love making these things.





This doll is based on Adirondack Patterns' Lillipals doll. The clothes are also made using the same pattern and tutorial. She's about 12 inches tall. Her hair is 100% wool yarn and is not meant to be taken down (it's a permanent hairstyle). Her skin is a cotton/poly blend - I couldn't afford the "good stuff" to learn on. She's filled with clean, carded wool. All in all, I'd say she cost me about $30 in supplies. Anyone interested in taking her home for the cost of supplies and shipping?



This doll was also made using the Lillipals pattern, as were her clothes. She has a green print dress with off-white "bloomers" and a wool felt (it's a blend, I think) coat. Her hair is super soft organic cotton. She's about 12 inches tall. Her skin is also a blend. My sister may be claiming her for a little girl's birthday present, but I don't know that she'll like this one. So if anyone falls in love with her, let me know! has claimed her, but I can always make another similar doll if anyone has fallen in love with her.



This is a doll in progress. She's being made using a mix of patterns and techniques I've picked up in the last month or so. Oh. The hands with fingers (this one and the brown-haired doll) - I picked up that idea from this tutorial. I don't think I like it - because I can't seem to do it "right." The hands looks all funky. But then, doing the fingers like toes makes them look like sausages. I may just give up on fingers altogether.

Here are some resources that I have found invaluable in making these dolls:
The Silver Penny's doll head tutorial (specifically for the nose)
Adirondack Patterns' Lillipals and Basic Waldorf patterns and tutorials
This hair tutorial
This doll tutorial (by the same person as the hair)
This baby tutorial - you can buy rights to sell this doll from her Etsy shop.
A doll tutorial by the same creator as above - though I don't think you can buy rights to this one
I've also used Toymaking with Children by Freya Jaffke

Now! This weekend I'm going to assess the finances and buy some "real" doll skin fabric. I think I'm ready. I hope I'm ready. I know that I won't be able to compete with the "pros" on Etsy. But.. I love making these - they keep me sane.

The Weekend

Saturday there was an awesome yarn "yard sale" at my favorite local yarn store. Check out my haul:


Yep. That's all Malabrigo. The Elf picked out the bright one.



This is by far my favorite buy of the day. This huge bag is filled with mini-hanks of naturally dyed yarn. Some even have the handwritten tags still on them - all dated in the 70's. I wasn't even alive then. I *adore* sifting through this stuff. It's amazing.

I won't tell you how little it all cost. You'd hate me.

Our strange life.

Some people crochet afghans. Or hats. Some people use wool felt to create sweet little gnomes. Or play food.

My middle son, the Imp, asked me to make him this:

Yes. My three (and a half) year old wanted a war axe. Whenever he wants something he comes to me. "Mom, please make me [insert request here]." It would never occur to him that I couldn't make whatever it is that he wants. And who am I to disappoint him?

She's done!

Again, the doll body, dress, and pants (that you can't really see) are based on the Lillipals pattern by Adirondack Patterns.

I'm so pleased that I didn't run out of yarn for the hair. I seriously thought that I wouldn't have enough. The antennae don't stand up all the time, but as it's a toy for a very young child I didn't want to put anything stiff in them. Now I'm off to email the woman who inspired it - I hope she likes it!

Crafting on

Last night we went out to run errands. We stopped at a local Panera for dinner. To be honest, we go there a lot. B orders Chinese for the oldest of us and the youngest get mac and cheese from Panera. This works for us because there are a bunch of shaded tables there. So. One of the women that works at Panera saw the Imp playing with a chick-in-an-egg that I crocheted a while ago. She gushed mightily about how her two year old would love one. So I've made her one. Because I'm crazy.



Right. Speaking of crazy. Here's a doll I'm working on for the neice of an acquantaince from Friday knitting.



She doesn't have hair yet. I'm combining the crochet cap yarn with another thinner, sort of heathered yarn.



Next up I'll either be giving her antennae or making a ladybug hat for her. What do you think?

She's made using Adirondack Patterns' Lillipals pattern for both the doll and the dress/pants. The cape is something I came up with after crocheting wings failed me.

Weekend doll making.

I meant to take pictures of the other doll I've been working on. But.. to be honest.. I can't seem to stop working on it long enough to take a picture. How do you doll makers do it? How do you manage to do anything else?





This doll is a conglomeration of many patterns and tutorials. I'd list them all.. but.. I'm lazy. When it's actually done, I'll try to link to all the things I used.



Ponyo is done! I'm pretty happy with her.

Right. I'm sure there were things I did over the weekend besides doll making. I just.. can't seem to recall them. I guess I'm a bit addicted.

What I've Been Up To.

Ponyo is coming along. I'm pleased with her hair, not so much with her face. Oh well. I hope the Beast will like her.



Of course.. she's not quite done, despite appearances.


(Ravelry notes here.)



Cat girl is done. Yes, her thumbs are big. So is her nose. She isn't perfect, who is?




She is, however, possibly looking for a new home. She has found a home with the owner of my very favorite local yarn store! I'm nowhere near experienced enough to sell these lovelies on Etsy (yet?) so I was thinking.. would any one out there be interested in buying my "as I learn" dolls for the cost of supplies plus shipping? I would, of course, keep the complete failures to myself. Anyway. It's an idea. I may give it a go.


(Ravelry notes here.)

Totoro is still in blob-form. I'm really starting to wonder if it'll ever look right. I suppose it's a good thing the Beast's birthday isn't until the end of April!

And this..


was my photography helper this morning. Mostly he munched on "circle cheese" and made me laugh so hard most of my pictures came out blurry.

Suffice to say, we're all feeling better. I'm extremely thankful that our colds rarely last more than a few days. I'll be doubly glad once all these little noses finish drying up, though!

Why we crank.

Okay. The bad mood? The sleepless nights? The cranky boys? The tempers and fights?



Yep. Everyone in the house is sick. Sore throats, runny (yet oddly stuffed up) noses, fevers, sunken eyes, fatigue.

But at least we still have Flogging Molly (yes, these albums are all that are getting me through my days).

Weekending and a Monday.

Scenes from the weekend:


Ran out of sheet-yarn. The boys love my rug (as do the cats - someone peed on it already).


Ponyo in progress for the Beast's birthday. Ravelry notes here.


Totoro in progress for the Beast's birthday. Ravelry notes here.


This is how our table (yes, where we eat) routinely looks.
.
.
.
Monday. I'm in a terrible mood. I want to swear constantly and stomp around. I feel like an evil troll. So I'm scouring the house in an attempt to clean and blasting Flogging Molly on the speakers with the windows open. It may not be helping, but at least the house is looking better.