Knitting Dragonflies

Happy Holidays!!

This probably comes under the TMI clause, but I’ve had to rotate deodorants since I’ve begun using them. I usually have at least 3 in the rotation, due to what I like to call “fire pits”. For me this is a extreme rash, bumps and sometimes hive like condition, while using deodorants. I’ve used about everything on the market, even stopped shaving my pits, (which I couldn’t stand and really didn’t help). I had a really bad flare up recently, and twice now I’ve come up with big lumps. So I thought, OK, off to the blogosphere to see what others have come up with. My first success is the Crystal Rock , The link above will bring you to the website and the “Crystal Story” . This is made from natural mineral salt, and works well. It comes in a roll on also, and lasts for an amazingly long time. Irritation free, and pit happy this is a great product.  The only issue I have with this, is that is is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. so while I love this product, I was still using someth...

I have been waiting on some yarn to be shipped to finish my sweater. In the meantime I didn’t want to start another big project. It all started with one laptop bag for a girlfriend, and turned into a bag marathon. I discovered that this pattern is good, not only for laptops, but a knitting bag, papers for work, magazines and books, and I’m thinking of making it smaller for a cute lunch bag and/or clutch. I’ll include the pattern for anyone that needs a fast, and fun bag. Bag is made holding two strands of yarn throughout, I use worsted weight. I’ve tried everything from acrylic to wool and cotton. Great for stash busting, make a striped bag! Single crochet, this tight stitch, allowing for a sturdy bag. If using cotton yarn, it makes the bag very sturdy. I go around the handle opening with slip stitch, and/or a sewn backstitch around each stitch, this makes a decorative handle that is very sturdy, and doesn’t stretch too much. Also think about lining your bag, I haven’t lined a...

I’ll start with a lovely long draw spinning video from Ruth Macgregor! The music gets me into the mood also. This is a free pattern on http://www.petitepurls.com/winter10/winter2010_p_jack.html , you can make the balloon and Jack Frost, or I’m planning on just Jack himself to hang on my tree! I found a top down knitted, Shapley Boyfriends Cardigan on Knitty by Stefanie Japel , I’m off to look at my stash, I think I have 5 skeins of Cascade 220 in an odd green color that would be perfect for this. Well, I’d have to tweak the gauge, perhaps…. I’m interested in this self intersecting basket weave stitch, it is a free ravely download , check out how it looks. It looks like everyone is knitting the GapTastic Cowl, free download on Ravelry! May your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies…

Is there anyone out there that knits a sweater pattern without drama? Ha, all frustration aside, gauge problems, pattern tweaking etc.…[ pattern here ] I powered through all of my knitting drama with this pattern, well it did have extended “resting” times, but my biggest hurtle was, (see above photo) this is all of the yarn I have, see little bitty ball at the bottom!  11 skeins later and the arms of the sweater are just to my elbows. I dithered around for a bit, I had spent more money on this yarn than I had planned, and not made it into the pattern I had bought it for (of course *snort*). But I ultimately decided that I do in fact, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this is turning out, (it is super bulky thick and thin yarn) and is very warm and soft and squishy, I originally thought, when I realized that I would not have enough yardage to complete it, that I would make it into a vest. Having a raglan sleeve posed a problem with that idea. So I decided to knit as far as my yarn would allow ...

Cooking has started here, and I’m looking through the ads and going to get some knitting done. In the process of making some laptop bags (pattern to follow) for presents. Easy and fast. For anyone following the Iced Sweater slog-a-long, I’ve knitted all of the yarn up that I have which was 11 balls, I love the sweater (really a coat, LOL, made from super bulky yarn), and hunted down someone online who had some more of the discontinued yarn (she is in the Netherlands, *grin*, god bless her), and I ordered two balls up. Hoping to have them by the end of December so I can finish and wear it. So close!! I decided that a substitute yarn to finish the sleeves wasn’t’ going to make me happy, so I should just go all in and got on a crusade to find the yarn to finish it with! Happy holidays!

In my “moving like a sloth” period I was looking for a tutorial for a fleece poncho with a hood, maybe sewing something will make me feel like I’m accomplishing something *snort*. I found lots of ideas but then came upon this site that I had to share. I swear you will find something you need, even if you don’t, it is rather addicting looking through the links. Sewing Stuff, free online sewing patterns , but don’t let the title mislead you, it is a super compilation of links. In the process I found more good blogs to follow, and some interesting ideas. (she has knitting and crochet, quilts, etc.… links also) From Halloween costumers and underwear to moccasins and hair scrunchies to lawn mower covers and mermaid dolls. Need a portfolio cover or interested in recycling? Charity sewing? Going to a Renaissance Fair? There is a section for you. Keep looking, don’t stop at the top, the more you look, the more you have to look. I love the portfolio cover, I was just going to buy something ...

This makes me smile, time to get knitting...

   Photo from Mark Lorch I’m beginning to feel alive once more. While I was viewing myself as being chronically lazy and unmotivated, there was a reason for this. While visiting my surgeon (I had my thyroid partly removed recently) he discovers I’m not taking any Synthroid . and says, “well you look ok”. This may explain why I have been doing a lot of sitting, and sleeping, and forgetting what I was going to do, no hot flashes, in fact I’ve been wearing sweaters, and it’s 50 out.. I’ve become really good at sleeping with newspaper, (and waking up with newsprint on my face), sleeping with my knitting, (those needles are pointy), and well you get the picture. On the bright side, I can’t remember what I was going to do or say, and discovered it is less stressful if I can’t remember what I was worrying about. Ha Cut to some fast blood work, and a prescription, it has only been about 4 days, and I’ve begun to feel more alive. I’ve not started to knit yet, but I’m thinking abou...

Raining here today and cold. I’ve not been very productive at home, so I’m looking for some quick, good looking items to make. I searched these out on YouTube. Make Your Own Hand & Arm Warmers: EASY & CHEAP !, this tutorial is from twxitbetwxit, (etsy shop here , in case you just want to buy a pair. Fun and fast, I think kids can do this project also. How to make a dog hoodie , this takes some sewing skill, but it is so cute. From IMadeThisForYou blog , this tutorial lets us make a sweet dog hoodie for any dog. Take a look at her blog for more ideas. DIY - From a shirt to a cardigan , thanks to http://viviantranx3.tumblr.com/ take a knit crew shirt and turn it into a surprisingly stylish cardigan. How to : Make a simple wrap, cardigan , from TheCreativeBoutique , this would be nice over a variety of clothes this fall/winter. She also has more fast tutorials on her blog link. Have Fun!!

I’m in full blown sweater knitting mode!! Guess I’m ready for winter! *grin*. I’ve been browsing around, and as usual, love to find free knitting patterns online. There are so many great ones! Enjoy, and please send me some of your favorite ones! I’ll include a link to the free pattern, and a ravelry link so you can see other versions and read reviews of them. Happy Winter! (almost) - Sonnett from Knitty fall of 03 . My girlfriend is knitting this, it is a side knitted pattern, I especially like it, due to the fact that it is written so you can use any yarn and calculate your own pattern. [rav link below] - Paulie cardi from Grasfleckin http://owlsisters.blogspot.com/2011/05/free-paulie-for-you.html this is knitted top down, from reading the comments on Ravelry, it looks like a good knit, well written pattern, I love the simplicity of it and the stripes to add interest. [rav link below] See photo here , just published Oct. 2011, I predict this will end up in many knitters...

This is so cute, little mushrooms to add to your plants! This is a great idea for gifts, especially since fall and shorter days are here. Add a little brightness and whimsy where it is least expected! An easy fun DIY from PrettyHandyGirl , thanks! Suitable for kids also.   I like these basic boy pants from MyGrowingHome , great tutorial, but I think it could be used for any size person. I’m going to try a pair for myself. Super comfy, and nice to lounge around the house in, I’ll just need some fun fabric, maybe even some corduroy! From kimboscrafts AGirlAndAGlueGun a simple tutorial on how to make a bedskirt from a sheet ! It looks nice and hey make a couple and change your bedroom look up. This is on my list of things to do. ThanksIMadeIt has a very good looking wrap bracelet made out of a zipper who won’t like this tutorial? It looks cool, I would never think this was a zipper! As always look further into these blogs for more great tutorials! Thanks everyone for sharin...

We got away to one of our favorite spots in Gatlinburg, TN. We had beautiful weather, and did some hiking. And I got some knitting done also. Happy Fall, knit something to keep you warm!

Since my thyroid surgery, my skin has been as dry as a pop corn fart. (now I don’t know how dry that is, but it is a saying from my husbands family, which makes me think way too much about farts and dry vs.: wet) Someone suggested cleansing oils. Then I found info on making my own. I did find out this info on cleansing oils, and a great deal of  info here on the cleansing oil method, and various recipes for all types of skin. Also some good info on acne.org, on cleasning oil, how to make various recipes, recipes for toners, masks, lots of good info on how to proceed. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html From SimpleMom I found good info on making my own facial cleansing oil, and how to use it. I’m going to give it a go. Since I’ve written this, I’m 3 days into using the cleansing oil method. I consider my skin dry, but still having breakouts (OK mother nature, come on…?). I choose to use castor oil 3/4 and jojoba oil 1/4 to begin with (just...