iPod Pocket

A few months ago I gave in to the iPod craze. I used to regard them as my nemesis. Do you know how many times I chatted people up in my dorm elevator... only to realize they couldn't hear a word as they were plugged into their ear-buds? It doesn't exactly make you feel cool.

But when I bought my new computer I gave in and added the 80GB Classic to the mix. Now on my long drives between Bellingham and Vancouver Ira Glass and Dan Savage keep me company. Plus I don't have to fumble with cds. Basically, I'm happy.

So my iPod makes my life easier and I repay it by keeping it in a sock. Until yesterday.

At home sick and bored bored bored, I turned to the sewing machine. I kinda had to redeem myself after a certain sewing project last April. You see, I hate to sew. I don't have the patience. But I always get ideas... and convince myself I can do them... and then, well... then it's last April and there's a pillowcase project consuming me.

Needless to say, this tiny project was much smoother. I just made a little pocket out of felt, and attached a heart for cuteness.

This little heart was originally to be a musical note, but that ended up being a little hard to produce with felt. Hearts are easy.

When I'm back with all my crafting supplies, I think I might add a little strap of elastic to keep it from sliding out when in my purse.

Thumbless Fetching

And now I can say it...

The mission behind the Great Snow-Yarn Debacle was to get yarn to start work on a Christmas gift for my mom. The Potluck Mittenettes were supposed to be it... but... they seemed a little too tight around the knuckles and I wanted my mom to be able to type when she wore them. Plus, I didn't like the holes the M1 increase made (or I made, I guess!). Basically, not gifting worthy.

After scouring many patterns, I settled back on Fetching (you'll recognize from Gray Yarny Love). This time however I decided to eliminate the thumbs to make typing easier. I picked up the stitches around the thumb hole and bound off as loosely as possible. It seems to have worked out well.

Finally, I can present... Thumbless Fetching.
yarn: Cascade 22o handpainted

A Very Knitty Christmas

All of the wonderful knitted items and knitting accessories I received for the holiday are begging to be blogged.

Book from sister, markers & cable needles from mom, needles & (flute) case from aunt.

Lovely Nest Tote knit by my sister.

I'm so impressed by that lace work.

She also knit me an urchin that I've barely taken off since opening. See it here.

Holiday Tradition

Chex Mix

Originally uploaded by pilliebee

Every year when I come home for the holidays, my sister politely requests/begs me to make "the trail mix...without pretzels, I hate it when you put in pretzels!" After calmly explaining that it's Chex Mix not "trail mix" I lovingly oblige (but I keep the pretzels).

I think we could be the new commercial.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Behold our lovely Christmas tree.

Did you know that if you wait until the 22nd, a Christmas tree is hard to find? We just wanted to take a quick trip to pick out our Christmas tree. We drove to our usual spot... no trees. We drove to a nearby spot... no trees. We went to Fred Meyer... no trees. We followed the big signs to "39th and Main XMAS TREES $15"... no trees.

Finally, a crummy little sign on the corner, "All trees $8" ... trees! trees! trees! We giggled the whole time...

Christmas trees are included in "anything" ... I wonder what else?

Owls

Maybe you'd like a peek at someone else's handiwork?

Meet these cute little owls, hand crafted by my friend Taune. She's recently forayed into the stuffed-animal building arena. I wish you could see the cute tail feathers on these... too cute. (and it's her own pattern too!)

Help me convince her to open at etsy.com account!

Gray Yarny Love

The previously mentioned "gray yarny blob" has finally been gifted! The recipient was very pleased... listen to the back story.

In early November we were out in the chilly weather. She lamented the loss of her favorite gray fingerless mitts ("I liked that they were gray, I could wear them with anything!"). Her hands were so cold. Immediately, I concocted a plan. I ordered some Debbie Bliss in silver gray and geared up for some DPN knitting. With the help of my sister I had a pretty decent first time project. A few weeks ago, out again in the chilly weather, I spotted the recipient with new GRAY fingerless mitts. I was bummin'. New plan, I'd offer her the gray mitts and the chance to trade for the color of her choice. Last night the gifting went down. I blurted out the story. She laughed... she had just lost the partner to her new mitts. Once again, she was in need of gray fingerless mitts! Even though it was a birthday present (she's a Christmas baby), I think this could be safely referred to as a Christmas Miracle.

Bottomline, she was pleased (she claims to have got teary eyed), I was pleased.

Plus, I whipped up a few pretty push-pins for her new office. She predicts her boss will get jealous. It's amazing the excitement these little pins create. I cannot express the joy I get from How About Orange.

Holiday Crafting / Knitting

There are secret somethings in the works. One kept me up way too late last night. And a job application is keeping me from finishing and moving on to others.

Dear Christmas,
Please come soon. I want to share my crafting/knitting with friends and family.
Your Friend,
Jill

Blast Off.

Jump Mosaic
Originally uploaded by pilliebee

Well it's not exactly a crafty thing... But look at the fun we have at The Homestead.

Potluck Mittenettes

I used the "yarn-snow debacle" yarn to make this mittenette pattern from Midnight Knitter. I think that's a pretty cute way of saying "fingerless mitts."


It was a pretty quick knit and I only messed them up a couple of times! Originally they were going to be a gift...but... I kinda wanted them. Other reasons apply, but an explanation would erase the surprise. Also, I must mention my knitting assistant on this project, Horatio, who took to sneaking licks at the yarn every so often.

Today I finished them up just in time for some market/library adventures with Molly. Then I put them to the test at a Pickford shift. Later they didn't do so well on a long , long, long walk to Fairhaven via Boulevard Park. My fingers were freezing!

Overall, super happy.

Liz Scarf Photo

I received the excited text message from Liz, and may therefore post a photo. Here it is:

The Great Snow-Yarn Debacle

Friday night I thought, "Oh, I'll just spend a little time knitting up the secret something." I began and after what felt like a few minutes, 5 hours had passed. But my secret something (gray blob) was complete.

Saturday morning I woke up to snowflakes. My first thought? "What am I going to knit?! I finished the secret something!" I decided I'd spend some time crafting other neat crafties and then run out to the yarn store. Then, it became apparent that things were getting interesting outside. I decided to venture out.

So, motivated by Apple Yarns and an added task to get yeast for a roomie, the adventure began. About 3 blocks from my house I went into a slide. The next thing I know there's about 4 or 5 cars in front of me stuck going up a small hill. (Keep in mind there's about an inch of snow on the ground.) I followed a car weaving in and out of the stuckies. After much slow slow driving I made it to the freeway (where I got up to 40mph!).

Apple Yarns was basically empty... I grabbed the yeast at a nearby grocery store and headed home. Things went well (very slow, but well) until I got back to where I first slid. This big gargantuan truck was flying down the hill and forced me to the side of the road, where I slid and hit the curb. A roomie came to help and we got my car straighted out and parked. We hiked the last few blocks back.

But I think it was worth it.