Crafty*Elf

Cold Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Have been so busy with returning to school and such that I haven't posted in over a year!

My new favorite item is split toe socks (similar to tabi socks). Owing to very dirty roommates, I always wear slippers at home. For some reason, I can't stand to wear the scuff, slip-on or ballet styles; I always wear flip flops. But then, it does get really cold where I live, and my socks get really gross if I walk around in them at home all day, so split toe socks in my sandals have been the answer. They look really weird, I know, but as long as they keep my feet warm and safe from the disgusting floor of my apartment, I'm happy.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:43:00 +0000

So here is a pic of the watermelon shrug. Despite all the holes in it, it's actually quite warm.

I have recently started the "Anthropologie-inspired Capelet" (actually more like a short cardigan) from Peony Knits. The pattern is posted on her blog. Hopefully, the dusty-rose Malabrigo yarn will make a really soft and warm sweater.

And last but not least, here is a photo of Thanksgiving dinner that I forgot to put up. The golden brown items on the right, below the very orange yams, are Chinese fried spring rolls.

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Merry Christmas - I'm tired.

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:46:00 +0000

Wow! Seems like I've completely neglected to post. The past couple of months have been filled with crafty present-making, and I'm exhausted! I finally finished my watermelon-colored shrug, but unfortunately misplaced my camera, so will put up a pic later.

My sister owns a merino wool scarf I made a while back, and she's been commenting that it just isn't as soft as cotton. To make her a new scarf, I've ordered Shine Worsted from Knitpicks. Wonder how it will knit up. In the past, I've had a lot of problems knitting cotton yarns. Somehow they don't slide on the needle very well; it's quite a struggle.

I recently bought a Clover Flower Asian Knot Template, which is used to make this:

Considered using this knot to loop over buttons, or maybe as a charm of some sort? I've had a small fascination with Chinese knotting since seeing this book by Lydia Chen. In fact, over the years, I've checked it out from the library so many times I might as well have bought it.

After sampling a slice of Grand Marnier infused fruit cake (a bit early in the day perhaps), I will now return to my last-minute gift wrapping. Merry whatever holiday to all...

Like buttah...

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:20:00 +0000

Made a crochet hat in a buttery yellow cotton and sent it off to a friend. Hope she likes it. I enjoyed making the Irish rose attached to it, but wish I'd made it a wee bit smaller.

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:48:00 +0000

Hand sewing is almost meditative for me, as long as I get those tiny stitches where I want them to be. Here is yet another Cute Book Creation: Ms. Squirrel.

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Last month, the SF Craft Mafia hosted A Family Affair event at the Stitch Lounge, where there were various craft project stations. I learned to make earrings, which won't help me in reducing my ever-growing earring collection.

Recently, I have gotten back into knitting (working for a knitwear designer helps). I just learned how to long-tail cast on and have started a little shrug in a beautiful coral yarn. It's Grignasco Skipper, 100% Italian merino. I am relearning how to knit from the YNotKnit book, which has great illustrations and is spiral bound for those trying to read and knit at the same time!

Name Game

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 05:43:00 +0000

Made another sheep from The Cute Book. My sister decided to name him Moe instead of Curly (I'm not joking). I had suggested calling him Dinner as his gray counterpart is named Lunch.

Alas, I have no control over what people decide to name the gifts I give them...

Sheepish

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:57:00 +0000

Here is my first Cute Book creation. No matter how hard I tried to cut the whites of the eyes even, one always ended up bigger than the other. My little sheep is only about 3" tall and the body was crocheted from loopy yarn. I wanted him to have a "sullen" look as suggested by the book, but instead he has a sort of spaced out expression.

Too Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:15:00 +0000

Yay! I was recently gifted a copy of "The Cute Book" by the Aranzi Aronzo authors and can't wait to try making all those adorable characters. Now I've got my eye on their other books...
they're all just too cute!

Meow...

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:26:00 +0000

Made two Birdie the Cat pillows from the free pattern on the Amy Butler Web site. It's great that she offered a full-size pattern and the instructions were really clear.

Perhaps the pink fleece was not a wise choice of material as the top layer kept stretching while sewing, which resulted in a rather misshapen kitten. I also admit the kittens are a little lumpy (need to work on my stuffing technique), but I think they're still cute. Gave one to my sister and kept the blue-eyeshadowed one for myself.

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:11:00 +0000

Made this scarf a while ago using Swish Superwash wool purchased from Knitpicks. I read a couple of reviews (after finally finishing the scarf) claiming the yarn will shrink a bit after washing, which is a good thing since I made the scarf a little too long and a little too wide. It was my first project from the Stitch 'n Bitch Knitter's Handbook (gifted by the scarf modeler in the photo). Wish I'd done a better job...it's a little roughly worked.

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:27:00 +0000

Okay, so this has nothing to do with crafts, but I am just loving OxiClean! Used to see those cheesy t.v. commercials for this product and didn't really believe it actually worked until a friend tried it. I dissolved a scoop of the powdered Oxiclean in about 5-gallons of hot water, let the water cool a bit and gave it stir, then soaked some cotton items in the solution for 24 hrs. After the soak, washed in the washing machine as usual.

The results:
*Removed 90% of those nasty yellow underarm stains you get on cotton white T-shirts, tank tops, etc. Still saw a shadow of the stain, but you really need to look closely. Now some of my white tops are wearable again. (Might try a second soaking to see if the stains will come out completely).
*Old makeup stains from eyeliner and mascara were only faded a bit and stubbornly remained ingrained in washcloths
*Completely removed fresh mustard stain from light blue cotton shirt

The carton notes that the product can be used for upholstery and carpet, but a colorfast test should be done first. Also, OxiClean is not recommended for use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, or dry-clean only items.

Done with the Daisy Shrug

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 05:54:00 +0000

Finally finished the Daisy Shrug I started on Monday. Used a pale yellow, thick, cotton yarn and a size G hook, so my shrug isn't quite as delicate-looking as the original. I don't think I allowed enough ease for the back, which is probably why the fit is a little tight, but am happy the sleeves are wide enough to accommodate shorter sleeves underneath.
Have sadly neglected the green sweater this week...

Up All Night with Daisies

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:49:00 +0000

Caught a bug, so have been sleeping all day. However, a full eight hours of sleep during the daylight hours has left me wide awake at night. Thought I might as well do something constructive and have started a quick and easy project: the Daisy Pattern Shrug (designed by Jan-on-Ice, who has done some really cute projects!).

The daisy pattern, though consisting of a foundation row and four rows that repeat, was a little confusing for me at first, but I've managed to figure out the implied steps. Guess I've been spoiled by having everything spelled out.

Just Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Crafty*Elf) — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:55:00 +0000

I finally decided to start a blog to make it easier to share some of my crafts projects with family & friends with similar hobbies. Although I enjoy knitting and sewing, crochet is my favorite hobby.

Currently, I'm working on the Short 'n Sweet shrug/bolero from The Happy Hooker book. Yeah, it's really green...perfect for St. Patty's Day or even Christmas? Am using Bernat Handicrafter cotton, worsted weight yarn.

Can't help but sneak in a picture of another favorite, the family dog. Don't be fooled by the sad face - he's only sad he didn't get more table scraps!