Creepy Creatures

Since I can remember, the day after Labor has always been the first sign that summer is officially over. Although in Southern California heat waves can continue well into the first week of October, deep down you know summer is gone. Nevertheless, its always been a marker for the beginning of a new season. Yesterday morning was the perfect beginning to autumn. The grey cloudy sky was a silent friend greeting me at my door as I left home to go to work today. This is the best kind of weather for me. A little gloomy weather without the madness of rain and listening to NPR. It was a great day.



Halloween is creeping upon us. The weather is a changing. The weather is a little crispier, the trees and other foliage are changing color, and the wind is picking up every so slightly bringing with it a ting of mystery. I love it. This is my most favorite time of year. It lends itself to knit/crochet, sew, craft and of course baking. Ah, baking that which bring in wonderful smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves to ones home. This being my muse, I was inspired to make a few little additions to our household.



Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting cute little creations made of a little yarn, felt, plastic doll eyes, stuffing and a whole lot of love. Amigurumis are usually super cute little bunnies, cuddly bears and adorable kittens. I, however, am particularly inclined to make out of the ordinary little creatures. It is for this reason that I love the book by designer Christen Haden, “Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots and more”. This book is full of fun and unique amigurumis. Who said the Grim Reaper wasn’t cute. The thing I love about these little creature creations is that you can use up a lot of odds and ends making them.



Since purchasing the book last year I have made a few of these creepy adorable amigurumis. Permanent residents in my home are the Grim Reaper, The Devil (AKA Mr. D), and The Day of the Dead girl. I enjoyed making them, for the sheer instant self gratification. They only take about a day or two to create.

This past weekend we added two additional members to the creepy amigurumis. I made the notorious vampire, Nosferatu and the scary mythological creature, Medusa. Norferatu has a ginormous head but with a big fangy smile. Medusa, is not the color I would have preferred, but then again I was using bits of yarn I had laying around. In addition, for Medusa I use for the first time, plastic eyes. First let me say plastic eyes are inexpensive and give a nice look to the amigurumi. Totally worth the 99cent I spent on a package of six.



I think they turned out fantastic, but most importantly the kids love them and in the end that is what counts.

Ah, Autumn

Since I can remember, the day after Labor has always been the first sign that summer is officially over. Although in Southern California heat waves can continue well into the first week of October, deep down you know summer is gone. Nevertheless, its always been a marker for the beginning of a new season. Yesterday morning was the perfect beginning to autumn. The grey cloudy sky was a silent friend greeting me at my door as I left home to go to work today. This is the best kind of weather for me. A little gloomy weather without the madness of rain and listening to NPR. It was a great day.

Amity Caplet - from The Adventures of Miss Flitt

The Adventures of Miss Flitt - The Strange Case of the Magician's Cabinet http://www.missflitt.com/ is a lovely story with beautifully painted watercolors and knitting patterns that compliment the story. This, Amity Caplet, is just one of several patterns in the book. It took me several attempts to actually complete this pretty little caplet. Not because of the difficulty of the pattern, but it seemed each time I made an attempt (three attempts to be exact), and something would go wrong. Each time I had to rip it out and start again.

My first attempt began using a Rio de Plata yarn in a white/grey color. The yarns thick and thin texture and color variation did not compliment the pattern. Half way through the pattern I frogged it. After finding a different yarn better suited for this pattern I made my second attempt. But after dropping stitch after stitch, after stitch, I ripped it out and through it in the closet. And in the closet is stayed for months and months and months.

This month after completing two other projects I finally felt motivated to try and give this pattern another go, with great results. I finally realized that an easy way for me to keep track of the pattern repeats is to place a marker at the beginning of each repeat. This was my salvation and my reward was a completed caplet.

I found the lace pattern fun. The caplet is more like a cape then caplet, its on the small size. I would have preferred an additional two repeats of the lace pattern so the caplet would actually go around my shoulders better. But perhaps its made for a smaller back. That said, however, I like how it looks on me.

Tight "Fitted" Red Sweater

I have finally completed my sweater. After working on this project for over an agonizing year it finally has come to an end. UFO - WIP is no longer. Stephanie Japel's pattern "Short Sleeve Cardigan with Ribbing" from her book "Fitted Knits." The pattern is just that, a very fitted knit. I enjoyed knitted the pattern for the level of quick satisfaction because its made in bulky yarn and is easy, but not boring and the ribbing provides nice shaping, if you have a shape. I need a better waist.

The yarn I used, Cascade Jewel Hand Dyed in red was nice enough to knit. It is a thin and thick wool yarn with a beautiful variation in color that adds to the beauty of any project.

This pattern is originally made in a short sleeve style. I modified it by lengthening the sleeves and placing the ribbing design at the end of each sleeve.

If I am inclined to make this sweater again I would add an additional two buttons to the button band. This may not be a factor if the person intent on wearing it is skinny, but for someone a little more fluffy like myself, an extra button or two would prevent the sweater from puckering when buttoned up.

Traveling Gnomes

We had a nice visit from a couple of traveling gnomes. They have been traveling the world since March. This friendly little gnome is from Georgia, yes a southern boy with good manners and a lovely sense of humor. First he was off to a European vacation, making stops in Norway, Sweden and England. Delighting all who crossed paths with him. After a few weeks of wonderful adventures in Europe he made his way back to the US. First stop was Virginia, were he sampled delicious crepes and a good glass of beer. Feeling a little lonely, went back to Georgia picked up the girl of his dreams and took her along for an amazing road trip. In Wisconsin, sparks flew, they both fell madly in love with each other, a true love, a love like no other. The kind of love only found in fairy tales. It was here they were both married in a private ceremony. Then they were off to Minnesota, Canada, Oregon then to us in California. Sadly our visit ended and we had to send him off to more adventures. There first stop, a homestead in Alaska, then who knows where else they will find themselves............Oh by the way they just love doughnuts.

Queen Anne's Scarf

Yummy Yummy Yummy Noro garden silk!!!

I finally found a great pattern that truly compliments the lovely colors of Noro, and it was easy to make too!

I found the Queen Anne's Scarf a nice pattern for a quick and fun scarf. I crocheted this scarf up in no less than a few hours.

This pattern lends itself that you can use any weight of yarn, any length. As a result, its a great way to use up bits of odds and ends of left over pieces of yarn. Each motif could easily be made a different color, size, and texture.

Making up for lost time

I need to make up for lost time, three months sure does fly by quick. I have been so busy. So busy that I had not found the time to blog or chat or stop and smell the flowers. Life has been hectic but I have still managed to knit, sew, and travel a little bit.

Finished:
· All four of my niece’s shrugs in time for Christmas.
· Completed all four dresses that accompanied the knitted shrugs.
· I designed and sewed my very first Christmas stocking.
· Knitted a cable scarf for a friend for Christmas.
· Knitted my darling husband a WWII pattern beanie.
· Knitted the Nati Nati Sweater in super bulky yarn (what was I thinking!).
· Completed my first möbius pattern, a caplet/wrap.

WIP
· Amity Caplet
· Short-Sleeve Cardigan
· Mom’s Summer End Cardigan
· Clementine Shawlette
· Inigo Montoya’s Ishbel shawl


Family and I took a Halloween trip to Northern California to visit my brother and his family. We all had a great time. I ate the best biscuits and gravy I have every had in my life in a little town called Hollister, CA at the Cozy Cup. Highly recommend. Made the mandatory stop at Casa de Fruta.

Thanksgiving was quite, pleasant and nice.

My youngest turned 2 in December and we had a little party for him. Had a great turn out. We also managed to take the kids to Disneyland with additional family members. Fun, but never again will I go to Disneyland the day before Christmas Eve. Too exhausting.…….Phew!

Will post pictures of my finished items and of my works in progress. I may even sneak in a few family pic’s from our adventures.