Crafty

[dancerjodi]

I'm in the mood to create things now - to sew, to knit and that kind of thing. I've started knitting a hooded baby blanket with the "Pound of Love" yarn from Lion Brand. One skein worth of a pound of yarn cost $5, and makes a cute finished product out of a very soft acrylic (I chose green of course). I figure, more and more people are thinking of babies now, and its a small project so it will be done relatively quickly if I keep on it (though, that's always the problem, isn't it?).

The problem with my crafting in general is that by the time I get home after a day of work and get into the house from the cold outside I'm not in much of a mood for anything beyond snuggling up under my patchwork quilt in the den lately. Hrm. How do you get out of your crafty rut?

I'm resolving to at least pull out my muslin and sew it together down the sides so that its wide enough for drafting tonight. If I just get that done and pull out all of my supplies for Friday crafty get together (paper, pins, old pattern, reference pages printed from the int0rweb) I'll feel like I accomplished something.

Brian and I have some fabric browsing to do before Friday, maybe tonight. I need some liner for Leia since there wasn't enough of that perfect white fabric on the bolt to make 2 of them (I figured, finding a similar enough but different fabric for the inside for modesty/accuracy would be fine), and Brian is thinking of making his http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Darth_Nihilus costume after all, just for something different to do.

Comments

[bluemetalpig.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to ask you...I've started knitting and am interested in trying out some more complicated knit designs because rib and seed stitch is getting boring. You got any patterns that could help this beginner improve her skillz?

Aren't there charities where women knit and donate baby blankets? Sometimes knowing that you're doing it for a greater good can add motivation to actually finish.

Knitting

[dancer.livejournal.com]

I'm still fairly a beginner (or maybe, intermediate). I've had fun working my way through things in the Stitch and Bitch book, and I've found some good free patterns online to play around with (the Lion Brand website has a bunch). The pattern I'm using now for this baby blanket was on the yarn label - I like it because its simple but looks complicated. :)

As far as donating, I haven't done it myself but I know there are a bunch of ways to do it. Project Linus is a group that collects unused yarn, and coordinates blanket knitting for hospitals (premies, that sort of thing). If you google you could find a local chapter and find more info. I know that some knit kercheifs for women losing their hair through cancer treatment - The Fabric Place usually has info on this during Breast Cancer awareness month (and I think they always carry free patterns, that may have info on where to drop the kercheifs). The TV show "Knitty Gritty" did a whole episode on groups that collect knitted goods for charity - teddy bears for kids, clothes, etc. I'm sure poking around will find you something. :)

I keep meaning to make some things out of unused yarn for some of these causes, but I've yet to find the time for it :)

Yay knitting! :)