Cumulus Beanie Pattern Redux

"Cumulus" beanie in peach.

Finally figured out the pattern I made up for my Cumulus Beanie. I'm not sure I got it exactly right because increasing a cluster stitch can get a little complicated.

However, the beanie fits well and looks how I wanted it to, so as far as I'm concerned it's mission accomplished.

Now I get to try writing out the pattern. It will be the first pattern I've ever written and I'm not sure I can get it to the point where I could share it with other crafters and have them understand it, but I shall do my best.

I guess this is the learning process when it comes to designing your own pieces. Next time I'm going to write everything down as I go--even if it only makes sense to me ;)

A good gift pattern

What qualifies as a good gift pattern? For me it depends on how many different versions of the same pattern can I make by changing colors. Also, how many different people do I know will actually enjoy getting the finished product for a gift?

My work so far on the Granny Square Blanket

For example, scarves and beanies are great go-to's because guys and girls of every age and inclination can wear scarves and beanies--as long as they don't live in a tropical climate year-round.

In my search for gift projects this year, I've stumbled across a couple patterns that may work depending on how long they take to complete. I'm doing tests now.

The first is a Giant Granny Square blanket that The Purl Bee posted. It's one giant granny square that is just an ever increasing rainbow of fuzzy goodness. I can watch my favorite SyFy shows and work this blanket at the same time.

Everyone needs an extra blanket: to curl up on the sofa with, take to a picnic in the park or at the beach, add an extra layer to the bed, or even use when company comes to stay the night.

So far I'm estimating 18 hours or less to finish one blanket. I may not make blankets for everyone, but I think I can crank a few out by Christmas :)

Love Love Love Amigurumi

This post was inspired by the Star Wars amigurumi created by fellow Etsy shop owner lucyravenscar.

I've only completed one amigurumi--a cat, surprise surprise--and I gave it to a friend of mine.

Does this qualify as a possible holiday craft? Amigurumi personalized for all my friends and family? Elephants, dogs, dolphins, turtles... doesn't everyone have a favorite animal?

Or a favorite movie for that matter? I've seen Amigurumi for The Exorcist, Despicable Me, Harry Potter, Batman, Alice in Wonderland--and the list goes on.

Here are a few sites I've found that have great amigurumi patterns. Fun, cute and quick (for the most part)!

Great Amigurumi
Free Amigurumi Patterns
Ana Paula's Amigurumi
Ami List
This Web Design School page gives you links to 50 free amigurumi patterns.

And of course you can always go to Ravelry and search for amigurumi patterns.

:)

Make and Donate Blankets for Project Linus

I'm determined to finish and donate a baby blanket for Project Linus this year. 

Marble Baby Throw from Lion Brand Yarn

Project Linus "provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer 'blanketeers.'"

Since 1995, they have distributed over three million blankets to children in need. These blankets go to children in hospitals, foster homes, shelters, and even to private homes. 

I'm sad to have discovered that there isn't a San Francisco chapter of this organization. However, there's an East Bay chapter to which I will happily donate my work.

Anyway, I've already found the pattern I want to use:  Marble Baby Throw from Lion Brand Yarn. I think I'll go for more neutral colors though. (I'll post photos when I finish)

I might have to consider making a couple fleece blankets as well. :)

Planning for the holidays—in September

I can't remember a time when I didn't try to give at least SOME personally handmade gifts to my friends and family for the holidays.

One year it was cross-stitched tree ornaments. Another year it was fleece melting snowman decorations. Another it was decorative containers full of peanut butter blossom cookies. The year after that it was personalized oven mitts and potholders. Last year it was crocheted beanies and scarves.

I also can't remember a time when I actually got all the crafting done that I wanted to get done in time to give all the gifts I wanted to give.

Thus a holiday gift-giving post in the middle of September: because if I don't start thinking about it now I'm going to be holed-up in my parent's guest room on Christmas Eve frantically putting the finishing touches on a scarf for my mom... like last year...

Now to find this year's theme. I think cookies are a given. They're kind of becoming a tradition. But what should I make for my main project? This is obviously something I'll have to revisit in the coming weeks as I research the possibilities.

P.S. I'm still trying to figure out the Cumulus beanie pattern from the last post :(

Recognizing a pattern

Finding stitches I like and working them into a circle for beanies can be a bit of a pain--at least for me. Especially if I'm working with a cluster stitch or some other stitch that is built out over several stitches. The crux is figuring out the increases. (If anyone has any tips or tricks I'll take them!)

Worse than that, however, is a month later trying to remember the pattern I successfully completed, but never wrote down. For example, the pattern I developed for my Cumulus beanie was formed mostly with a simple cluster stitch crocheted together over three single stitches, but I couldn't remember how I got the hat started!

I worked on trying to remember the sequence for a couple hours--and frogged a lot of tests--before I remembered I started the first three rows with half double stitches; which are easy to increase. Unfortunately, the a-ha moment hit at almost midnight, and I have a day job.

So, I wrote myself a couple notes and tonight I will endeavor to re-create the Cumulus in a different color.  Wish me luck!

Beanie Photos

The one thing holding me back from launching my etsy store: photos.

My "Nor'easter" beanie crocheted with camel hair
and bamboo yarn.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to showcase my beanies.

I have some pics I took out at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, but I don't think they show all the angles and details I want to focus on.

Plus there's no size reference. So I bought some mannequin heads and I ordered a photo lighting kit, complete with two photo light tents, eight backgrounds, two high output lights and a camera tripod.

I started to build my own light tent from cardboard and tracing paper, but I kept getting weird shadows from the frame.

The black, purple, and blue beanies are mine.
(The solid purple one isn't.)

So I'm thinking, unless I want to take pictures of my beanies on the heads of my rock climbing crew (like I did here), it's going to be the beginning of October before I get my store launched. **sigh**

Actually, using my friends as models isn't a bad idea. It's just that if I want to sell my beanies it's probably best if the hats aren't first on the heads of any "dirty little freaks" -- as we so affectionately call each other.

In the beginning, there was the starting chain...

I'd like to start this blog off by offering much respect to all the dedicated craft bloggers out there. It takes curiosity, inspiration and determination to craft, but it takes a lot more creativity, courage, and dedication to keep writing about it after the projects are finished.

To those who've been doing it for years, I salute you! Here's hoping I can keep up the tradition :)

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Most of my posts are going to focus on the work I'm doing for my little design start-up, Presque Isle, but don't be surprised if I dedicate quite a few of my posts to the crafting community at large. I'm continually inspired by the incredible creativity of the crafters I discover online, and I'd love to share their work here.

Speaking of inspiration, here's a pair of fingerless gloves I conjured up after a couple days of playing with pattern ideas.

I used alternating rows of front-stitching and back-stitching for the cabled look of the glove itself. Then I combined slip stitches, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches for the scalloped edge where the buttons go.

I hope to offer these gloves in my etsy.com store--as soon as I get the store launched. It's incredible how much work it takes to put a couple hand-worked pieces online. Or maybe it's just the procrastination gene I inherited. Either way, I'm almost there!

Wish me luck! ;)